The Korean War was an escalation of border clashes between two rival Korean regimes (each of which was supported by external powers) with the North Korean regime trying to topple the South Korean regime through political and guerrilla tactics. In a very narrow sense, some may refer to it as a civil war, though many other factors were at play.
The Korean War was a conflict between two rival Korean governments (each backed by external powers) where North Korea aimed to overthrow South Korea through political and guerilla tactics. In a very limited sense, some might call it a civil war, although many other factors were involved.