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

This
story takes place sometime between 1950 and 1953. We know this because it is taking place during
the Korean War, which took place after World War II. The first paragraph of the story gives
readers an important detail about the setting.

The
northern village at the border of the Thirty-eighth Parallel was snugly settled under the high,
bright autumn sky.

That 38th parallel is important
because that is the dividing line between North Korea and South Korea. During the Korean war,
villages that were located near that line repeatedly changed hands. Based on the wording of the
first paragraph, I think the narrator is telling readers that the story is taking place in what
was at the time South Korea. That is why it is a northern village. If the
village was part of North Korea, then that village would be a southern village. Regardless,
readers know that the starting village is one that is on the front lines of the conflict. The
two main characters grew up in that village, and they wound up on opposite sides of the
conflict. That makes sense based on the village's location. Many people were probably pro-north,
while others were likely pro-south.

The bulk of the story does not take place
in the village. Most of the story takes place on the road from the village. Songsam is taking
Tokchae to another police station, but he decides to free his boyhood friend before reaching
their destination.