Final answer:
The passage indicates that the partition of Korea at the 38th parallel created a solid boundary, cutting off normal relations between North and South Korea except for limited mail interchange and power transfer, reflecting the deep political and ideological divide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage says that the partition of Korea has had a significant impact on the country's political and economic life. This division at the 38th parallel has resulted in a rigid boundary that separates the Korean Peninsula into two distinct halves, with North Korea under communist influence and South Korea oriented towards capitalism. The only interaction allowed across this border is the exchange of mail and the transfer of surplus electric power from North to South Korea. After the end of World War II, the peninsula was split into Northern and Southern regions as a result of the occupying forces: the Soviet Union in the north and the United States in the south. Despite initial plans for reunification, the Korean War solidified the division, and the demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established as a buffer between the two states. To this day, Korea remains divided, symbolizing the enduring legacy of Cold War geopolitics.