What is the setting of the story "Cranes" and when and where do the events take place?

This story takes place in Korea and is set during the Korean War. The war began in 1950 and ended in 1953. At the end of World War II, in 1945, the Soviet Union took control of Korea north of the 38th parallel. In this post World War II period between 1945 and 1948, the United States occupied Korea south of the 38th parallel. This led to the establishment of two governments: one in the...

This story takes place in Korea and is set during the Korean War. The war began in 1950 and ended in 1953. At the end of World War II, in 1945, the Soviet Union took control of Korea north of the 38th parallel. In this post World War II period between 1945 and 1948, the United States occupied Korea south of the 38th parallel. This led to the establishment of two governments: one in the north and one in the south. Note that at the beginning of the story, the narrator adds that the setting is in a village just north of the 38th parallel. This is the division between North and South Korea. 

Tokchae lives in North Korea and serves as Vice Chairman of the Farmer's Communist League. Songsam is an officer of the Public Peace Corps, a South Korean organization. When Songsam learns that Tokchae has been arrested and is to be taken to another police station, he offers to take him. Songsam is initially angry with his childhood friend, demanding to know how many people he's killed. But when he recalls their childhood and the temporary pet crane and how it escapes, he has the impulse to help his friend escape as well. Friendship overrides any notion of the national/cultural war between North and South Korea.