In 1950, the Korean War drew near its end as the Korean People's Army drew near the South Korean port of Pusan, controlled by the United Nations. Despite their proximity, the North Korean troops would have not been able to seize the port, being heavily outnumbered. Realizing that the battle would be disastrous if he proceeded, North Korean Commander-In-Chief Choi Yong-Kun asked the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China to provide aid. The two powers agreed, beginning the conflict that would grow into the Third World War.