ABBREVIATED KOREAN HISTORY TIMELINE

2333 BC - The legendary founder of Korea, Tangun, is born. - Tangun's mother was originally a bear and father the son of the Creator.
3-6th C - Three Kingdoms period. - Koguryo in the North, Paekche in the Southwest, and Silla is the Southeast.
668-935 - Korea united under Silla Dynasty. - The Silla kingdom receives help from Tang Dynasty China in its wars of unification.
918-1392 - Koryo Dynasty
1231 - Mongol Invasion. - The Mongols, led by Khubilai Khan, also induce the Koreans to help build and man the fleet for the unsuccessful invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281.
1234 - Metal movable type developed in Korea
1251 - Korean printed version of "Tripitaka" completed
1359-61 - Rebel Chinese bandit army invasions. - The Chinese sacked and burned the capital of Kaesong.
1392-1910 - The Yi (Choson) dynasty
1400's - Beginning of Silhak movement. - Meaning "Practical Learning", stressed the practical use of human knowledge. Developed by Yi Su Kwang.
1446 - King Sejong announces the invention of the phonetic Hangul script writing method.
1592 - Hydeyoshi invasion of Korea. - Korean and Chinese forces stop the Japanese north of Pyongyang. Admiral Yi Sun Shin scores naval victory with his ironclad "turtle ships". Japanese forces are expelled from Korea in 1598 after causing much damage throughout Korea.
1609 - Trade Agreement with Japan - (trade ships between Pusan and Tsushima)
1627 - Manchu Invasion
1628 - First European ship to reach Korea - Dutch vessel shipwrecked off of Cheju Island.
1630 - Envoy to Peking, Chong Tu Won returns with western books and artifacts *
1636 - Manchu Invasion
1637 - Treaty of 1637 concluded between China and Korea. - "Younger Brother" relationship - Korea would be independent in domestic matters but was to take Chinese guidance on foreign matters
1668 - "An Account of the Shipwreck of a Dutch Vessel off the Coast of Qelpart, Together with a Description of the Kingdom of Corea" published. - (Hendrick Hamel, who survived a 1653 shipwreck.)
1784 - Shilhak scholar Yi Sung Hun is baptized by Catholic priests in Peking.
1785 - King Chongjo outlaws Christianity.
1794 - First Catholic priest enters Korea
1832 - Lord Amherst, sails to Korea and attempts to enter trade treaty, refused.* - European ships begin to be seen off of Korean coast on frequent basis
1860 - Taesinsa founds the Tonghak movement - Tonghak, or "Eastern Learning", combines Confucianist, Buddhist, Taoist, and Shamanist ideas. The Tonghaks believe in equal rights for all, "Man is God," are anti-western and militaristic.
1864 - The Taewongun begins regency for his son, the boy king, Kojong
1866 - The Taewongun orders Catholicism eradicated from Korea and France attacks. - After over 8,000 converts and nine French priests are executed, French warships blockade the Han River and capture the fort on Kanghwa Island. When the fleet and troops leave soon afterwards, the Taewongun considers it a victory *.
1866 - The General Sherman Incident. - The General Sherman, an American vessel leased to a British company, is destroyed and its crew killed after grounding on a sandbar in the Taedong River near Pyongyang. The crew, intent on pillaging the tombs of Koryo dynasty kings, were attacked after they had captured a local official.
1869 - Japan sends first of three missions to Korea to open trade
1871 - US fleet attacks Kanghwa Island fort. - A US naval squadron sent to find out what became of the General Sherman is fired upon by Korean troops. US ships return fire on fort, land troops and kill all the Korean defenders. The squadron then withdraws. Japan persuades China to end "elder-younger brother relationship" with Korea
1873 - Japan considers invasion of Korea - Kojong takes up his duties as king; looks to US as a benefactor.
1874 - The Chinese Tsungli Yamen advises King Kojong to enter into treaties. - With the US, France, and Japan.
1876-77 - Severe drought in Korea
1876 - The Unyo incident. - Japanese naval vessel, The Unyo, dispatched to the mouth of the Han River. After Koreans fire on ship, the Japanese send a fleet to Korea and pressure Korea to enter trade negotiations (the Kanghwa Treaty).
- The Treaty of Friendship, or, Kanghwa Treaty is signed. - The treaty formally ended Korea's "younger brother" relationship with China; Allowed Japanese companies to trade freely in Korea; Allowed Japanese citizens to travel freely in Korea and required that Japanese lawbreakers be tried by Japanese courts.
1879 - Japan sets up the first Japanese diplomatic mission in Seoul.
1882 - US-Korean Amity Treaty (Shufeldt Agreement). - King Kojong enters into the Amity Treaty of 1882, a trade and friendship agreement, with the US; Korean public outraged and the Taewongun brought back as regent. Chinese troops sent and King Kojong reinstated.
- William Elliot Griffis's Corea, The Hermit Nation, published. - Highly influential on Western opinion of Korea. Stated that Korea was incapable of self rule and should become a protectorate of Japan.
- Von Moellendorf period. - Paul Georg von Moellendorff sent by China to advise King Kojong, begins ambitious program to modernize and renovate Korea. Advises King Kojong to ally with Russia.
1884 - 4 Dec., the Kapsin Coup. - The Pro-Japanese coup members, led by Kim Ok Kyun and sponsored by the King, demand reform measures, the ousting of conservative, pro-Chinese members of the government. Chinese and Korean troops put down the rebellion.
- The first Protestant missionary arrives in Korea. - The Rev. Horace Allen, a medical missionary arrives in Korea and treats a prince injured in the Kapsin Coup. Later missionaries found Yonsei and Ewha Universities.
1885 - Treaty of Tientsin. - Japan and China agree that each has the right to send troops into Korea.
- Moellendorff dismissed. - Pro-Chinese officials replace him and modernization process slows.
1880's - Christian missionary work widespread
1888-89 - Severe drought in Korea
1894 - Tonghak Rebellion. - Protesting foreign imperialism, government corruption, Christianity, and the confiscation of Tonghak member's land, Tonghak troops battle government troops for four months. King Kojong ends the rebellion by promising to end corruption and settle the people's problems. The Tonghaks presage the Boxer Rebellion in China.
- Sino-Japanese War. - In response to the Tonghak uprising, both China and Japan sent navy ships and troops to Korea. After King Kojong refused to end trade relations with China, Japanese troops marched into Seoul and arrest King Kojong. The Taewongun is installed to head a puppet government. Japanese troops defeat a Tonghak army and in turn defeat the last Chinese troops in Korea in a battle at Pyongyang. With the Treaty of Shimonoseki with China, Japan was able to dictate to Korea reforms to reduce civil disturbances.
- Kabo Reforms - Serfdom and class distinctions abolished, slaves are emancipated, and a new tax system is put in place.
1895
- 17 April, Treaty of Shimonoseki - Signed, ending the Sino-Japanese War.
- 8 Oct, The anti-Japanese Queen Min is assassinated. - The assassination plot was devised by the Japanese minister in Korea, Miura, and the Taewongun.
1896 - The Independence Club and the Paejae Debating Society are founded - by Phillip Jaisohn and So Chae Pil. Early member of the Debating Society - Syngman Rhee.
1898 - Independence Club leadership imprisoned. - King Kojong has much of the leadership imprisoned, including Syngman Rhee.

1901 to 1959

1903 - 23 Feb., The Protocol of Alliance. - Japan forces Korea to sign the protocol which states that Korea's independence is guaranteed but Japan had the right to take whatever steps it deems necessary to oppose foreign or domestic threats to Korea. Japan begins real political and economic dominance over Korea.
- First Korean laborers recruited to work in Hawaii. - Eventually 7,000 Koreans travel to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations.
- 6 Feb., the Russo-Japanese War. - Japan attacks Russian fleet at Port Arthur, China, and at Inchon; Japanese troops land at Pusan and Inchon. Russia soundly defeated and formally acknowledges Japanese suzerainty in Korea
- Political prisoners released. Syngman Rhee and many other political prisoners are released from prison.
- 10 Jun., Syngman Rhee meets with President Roosevelt. - The meeting concerns upholding article one of the Amity Treaty of 1882. The treaty had stated that if either nation was mistreated or oppressed by a third nation, the other nation would come to its aid.
1905 - Oct., Korea "voluntarily" becomes a Japanese Protectorate. - Korean Cabinet ministers are coerced into signing the document. King Kojong declares the document invalid but is ignored.
- Taft-Katsura Agreement: US assents to Japanese sovereignty in Korea. - The US Secretary of War, William Howard Taft, negotiates the Taft-Katsura Agreement where the US acknowledges Japanese supremacy in Korea and Japan acknowledges US supremacy in the Philippines..
1907 - King Kojong forced to abdicate. - The Japanese force the King to abdicate after he secretly sends a mission to plead Korea's case at the World Peace Conference at the Hague.
- 1 Aug., Japan disbands the Korean Army. - In response, the Righteous Army is established of mostly former soldiers who volunteer to fight the Japanese.
1909 - Japanese resident-general in Korea assassinated. - An Chung Kun assassinates Ito Hirobumi. Ito is replaced by General Terauchi Masatake.
1910 - 22 Aug., Japan annexes Korea. - Korea no longer legally exists as a sovereign state.
1912 - The rebel Righteous Army is finally eliminated. - Altogether, 17,697 rebels were killed during the uprising*.
- 15 April, Kim Il Sung is born.
1918 - Syngman Rhee designated head of Provisional Government in Shanghai.
- 22 Jan, former King Kojong dies - from a stroke.
1919 - March 1st Movement. - Inspired by Wilson's statements on the self-determination of nations, Korean patriots sign a Declaration of Independence and demonstrated peacefully in Seoul. By the 6th of March the protests begin to turn violent and the Japanese brutally suppress them, jailing over 45,000 and killing nearly 4,000*.
- First Korean Congress meets. - The Congress meets at Independence Hall in Philadelphia and sets up a Korean Information bureau.
- Syngman Rhee attempts to win over US policy makers to the Korean cause. - He meets at best sympathy in from President Wilson, the State Department, and the US Congress in response to his efforts
- Korean communists secure financial aid from Russia. - Russia provides 600,000 rubles, with the promise of 140,000 more.*
1920-31 - Japan relaxes cultural policies. - The new Governor General of Korea, Adm. Saito Makoto, in response to Korean anger as displayed in the May 1st Movement, attempts to carry out "cultural politics" by relaxing rules governing the teaching and expressions of Korean culture.
1920 - Communists split from the Provisional Government. - The communists are led by Yi Tong Whi.
1925 - Syngman Rhee is impeached. - Rhee is impeached for neglect of his duties and replaced by Kim Ku.
1927 - 15 Feb., The Singanhoe (New Stem Association) is founded. - The association was a joint nationalist-communist resistance effort.
1930 - Japanese own 30 percent of the arable land in Korea.*
1935 - 37% of the Korean rice crop is exported to Japan*
1937 - Japan invades China; Korean economy put on war footing.
- Japanese liberal policy in Korea reversed. - Korean schools are forbidden to use the Korean language or teach Korean literature.
1939 - Koreans forced to adopt Japanese names.
1940 - 798,448 Japanese living in Korea*
1942 - 16 Feb., Kim Il Song's son, Kim Jong Il is born.
1943 - Koreans begin to be drafted into Japanese Military.
- International trusteeship proposed for Korea. - President Roosevelt, along with Winston Churchill and Chaing Kai-shek, proposes that Korea be put under an international trusteeship after the war. Koreans outraged. (Cairo Declaration).
1945 - Approximately 800,000 Koreans are drafted into the Japanese Army by the end of WWII.*
- 8 Aug., Russia declares war on Japan. - Russia invades Korea and attacks the Japanese troops there.
- 15 Aug., Liberation Day- Japan surrenders.
- 6 Sept., first US troops land in Korea at Inchon. - General Hodge heads the American Military Government (AMG).
- 38th parallel established as boundary. - Carrying out the agreement made between Stalin and Roosevelt, General MacArthur issues General Order Number 1, establishing the 38th parallel as the occupation boundary between US and Soviet troops. On 10 Aug. '45 Dean Rusk and a group of War Department officials came to the decision to place the demarcation line at the 38th parallel.
- 14 Oct., First public appearance of Kim Il Song. - Kim Song Ju, a.k.a. Kim Il Song, is introduced at a huge rally in Pyongyang.
- Coalition Administration in north Korea. - A coalition of nationalists, communists, and Christian leaders, headed by the Christian educator Cho Man Sik, are in charge in the North.
- Dec, Trusteeship plan announced. - The US, Russia, Great Britain, and China announce a five-year trusteeship plan for Korea.
- Dec, Kim Il Song receives appointments. - Kim is appointed Secretary General of the Northern Bureau of the Communist Party and Chairman of the North Korean Interim People's Committee.
1945 - 1948 - US aid to Korea - totals over $300 million.*
1946 - Nationalists and Christian leaders purged from north's governing coalition. - Cho Man Sik is arrested.
- Mar, land reform program is instituted in north Korea.
- Jun., private industry is nationalized in north Korea.
- S. Korean communist counterfeiting operation discovered. - S. Korean communists are driven into hiding after the discovery of a currency counterfeiting operation being run by the party.
- Dec., an Interim Assembly is elected in south Korea.
1947 - Feb., Civil Governor appointed in so. Korea. - An Chae Hong is appointed Civil Governor in south Korea.
- Syngman Rhee's relationship with General Hodge deteriorates - to the point that he is placed under virtual house arrest.* General Hodge supports the moderate conservative, Kim Kyu Sic.
- Aug., the US proposes All-Korea elections. - The US proposes to hold elections throughout Korea to establish a government for all of Korea; the Soviets reject the proposal.
- Sept., the US asks the UN to address the "Korean Problem".
- Nov., the UN votes to hold national elections. - The elections are to establish a national government and assembly for all of Korea. The representatives are to be elected proportionately to the population and the election would be overseen by the Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK) The Soviets announce that they will not participate. In Feb., the UNTCOK votes to hold elections on 10 May.
1948 - Feb., the Interim Assembly votes to hold elections, with or without north Korean partici pation.
- 17 Mar, China and Russia promise war material for north Korea. - PRC leader Mao Tse Tung and Kim Il Sung sign an agreement that promised war material for North Korea in exchange for electric power and steel.
- 3 April, communist rebels revolt and take over Cheju Island
- Apr., Kim Kyu Sic and Kim Ku seek election settlement with Pyongyang. - Kim Kyu Sic and Kim Ku travel to Pyongyang to settle the issue of national elections with the communists but fail to reach any settlement. The two boycott the May elections and are politically weakened.
- 1 May, North Korean constitution drafted. - The Korean People's Committee drafts the constitution for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
- 10 May, national elections are held in the South. - Eighty-five independents, forty-eight supporters of Rhee, thirty Democratic party members, and thirty-seven various others are elected to the Assembly. 92.5% of registered voters participate in the elections*.
- 14 May, north Korea stops supplying electricity to south. - North Korea cuts off the flow of electricity from the Yalu River power plants to south Korea.
- 31 May, Syngman Rhee elected Chairman of the Assembly.
- 19 July, Syngman Rhee elected President of the Republic by the Assembly.
- 15 Aug., The Republic of Korea is established. - Syngman Rhee inaugurated at the age of 73 as President.
- 25 Aug., in north Korea, the Supreme People's Assembly meets for the first time.
- 3 Sept., the Supreme People's Assembly ratifies the North Korean constitution.
- 7 Sept., Kim Il Sung is named premier of North Korea. - Kim is 34 years old.
- 9 Sept., The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is founded.
- Oct., Communist led rebellions in the Yosu-Sunchon area.
- Nov., the National Security Law is passed. - The law broadly outlines treasonous acts.
- late '48, Soviet occupation forces leave North Korea.
- 9 Dec., the UN recognizes the Republic of Korea.
1949 - 26 June, Kim Ku is assassinated by a ROK Army lieutenant. - Ku's assassination was secretly ordered by high ranking officers closely associated with the Rhee administration.*
- 29 June, US occupation forces leave South Korea.
- Land reform in South Korea.
- All exchange of goods between North and South Korea is cut off.
- Koreans who were fighting in Red Chinese armies return to North Korea
- Kim Il Song given title of "Suryong" . - Meaning "leader", this title is further modified to "great leader".
1949? - 12 Dec, the UN General Assembly votes that the ROK is the "only lawful government throughout Korea."
1950 - Korea declared outside the US defense perimeter. - US Secretary of State Dean Acheson, in a speech to the National Press Club, declares that South Korea lies outside the US line of defense in the Pacific. The defense of South Korea is to be the responsibility of the UN.
- Mar, Kim Il Song seeks Stalin's approval of invasion. - Kim goes to Moscow where he asks for Stalin's approval of an attack on the South and is promised military equipment
- 30 May, South Korea holds its second election. - 210 representatives are elected to the National Assembly. 85% of eligible voters participate *.
- 25 June, North Korea attacks South Korea. - The North attacks with 7 divisions, 3 mixed brigades, and a tank brigade (approximately 135,000 troops and 500 tanks). The South defense consists of approximately 93,000 ill-trained and equipped troops. The UN commission in South Korea reports to the Security Council that the attack was a surprise, unprovoked aggression by the North.
- 27 June, UN enters fight. - With the USSR absent, the UN Security Council votes to fight the North Korean aggression.
- 28 June, North Korean troops take Seoul.
- 5 July, Task Force Smith. - On 2 July, the first American troops arrive in Pusan. The troops, the 400 men of Task Force Smith, take position near Osan on 5 July, but outgunned and outnumbered, are quickly overrun by North Korean tanks and infantry.
- Mid-July, the Pusan perimeter. - The North Koreans advance pushes the US-ROK armies into the Pusan perimeter.
- 15 Sept., The Inchon Invasion. - UN troops, following Gen. MacArthur's plan, land at Inchon, rout DPRK forces, and liberate Seoul. They then begin a rapid advance north over the 38th parallel.
- 28 Sept., Seoul retaken.
- 7 Oct., The UN approves a resolution that a "unified, independent and democratic government" be established in Korea. - It later pronounced that the UN recognized no government in the northern half of Korea.
- Mid-Oct, UN and ROK forces advance towards the Yalu River.
- 26 Oct., the PRC enters the war. - In the first contact, Communist Chinese forces attack the ROK units. In early Nov., a US First Cavalry Division unit is annihilated.
- 14 Dec, The UN seeks truce. - The UN sets up a Cease-Fire Committee to seek a truce in the war.
1951 - Jan. 4, Chinese and DPRK forces recapture Seoul.
- March 14, the UN-ROK forces retake Seoul in a counterattack.
- April 11, MacArthur fired.
- July 8, Peace talks begin at Kaesong, later to move to Panmunjom.
1952 - May, President Rhee declares martial law and changes the constitution to hold onto power. - When the National Assembly tries to vote him out of office, Rhee forces a change to the constitution so that the presidency is elected popularly. He wins the ensuing election in a landslide.
- US amends immigration laws to allow entry of small numbers of Korean emigrants.
1953 - July 23, a truce is signed between UN, PRC, and DPRK forces.
- July 27, the war "ends" with an armistice. - Approximately 230,000 ROK, 34,000 US, and 3,000 UN soldiers from other countries died in the war. (1.3 million South Koreans, soldiers and civilians, 1.5 millionNorth Koreans, 33,629 US, 1,263 British Commonwealth, and 1,931 UN soldiers from other nations.) On the communist side, 300,000 DPRK and 150,000 to 500,000 PRC soldiers were killed. (900,000 dead, wounded, or missing). Together in the North and South, about 1,000,000 civilians were killed. In addition, 500,000 North Korean citizens migrated south and 300,000 South Koreans remained in the North after the war. (THESE ARE NOT DEFINATIVE FIGURES)
- 1 Oct, the US signs a treaty with the ROK promising to defend South Korea.
- 23 Nov, North Korea signs trade and friendship treaty with the PRC. - As part of the "Agreement of Economic and Cultural Cooperation", the PRC loans the DPRK $325.2 million and declares that North Korea owes nothing for the aid it was given during the war*.
1953-61 - US sends the ROK $4.3 billion in aid. - However, much of the aid went to Syngman Rhee's Liberal Party in kickbacks. Korean companies receiving aid were pressured into making large contributions to the party.*
1954 - Nov., Constitutional change. - Rhee forces constitutional change to allow him to remain in office indefinitely.
1955 - Kim Il Sung makes first mention of "Chuche" doctrine. - Chuche, meaning self-reliance, is to become the fundamental ideological doctrine guiding all North Korea's domestic and foreign policy. It is Kim's attempt to avoid what he terms "flunkeyism" and break away from the sway of either Russian or Chinese dominance.
1956 - May, Syngman Rhee (Liberal Party) re-elected president and John Myung Chang (Democratic Party) is elected vice-president. - Rhee gains only 55% of the vote even after his opponent dies of a heart attack 10 days before the election.
1958 - China withdraws its ambassador from North Korea.
- 24 Dec, the Liberal Party seizes the National Assembly and passes bills expanding the National Security Law. - One among its provisions was that anyone who "benefitted by disturbing the people's minds by openly pointing out or spreading false facts" would be imprisoned for five years.
- The Chollima Movement is begun in N. Korea. - Similar to China's "Great Leap Forward", the movement was to organize labor in all sectors of society, agriculture, industry and the sciences, into work brigades and teams.
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1960 to 1979


1960 - Feb., The Chongsan-ni Method is developed. - Taken from instructions Kim Il Sung gave during a visit to a cooperative farm in S. Pyongan Province, the method calls for high-ranking bureaucrats are to make field visits to work sites inspire workers and solve problems and incentives (in the form of bonuses, honorary titles. etc.) to be provided to boost production.
- The April 19 Student Revolution: Rhee is forced to resign. - On 15 Mar., Rhee is re-elected president after the opposition candidate once again dies of illness shortly before the election, but the results of the vice-presidential election are strongly disputed. Yi Ki Bung, Rhee's self-designated Liberal Party successor, flagrantly rigs the votes with the help of the police. Students demonstrate, fights break out between them and Liberal Party thugs, and the police opened fire, killing 146 students. President Rhee declares Martial Law. Under heavy public pressure, President Rhee resigns. On 27 April. Yi Ki Bung commits suicide.
- 15 June, a new constitution. - A new constitution is drafted adopting a cabinet system of government with executive power held by the prime minister.
- 29 July, John Myun Chang and the 2nd Republic. - In new elections, the Democratic Party wins control of the National Assembly and John Myun Chang becomes the new Prime Minister.
- The economy nose-dives, maintenance of law and order fails, and the government is in disorder.
1961 - 16 May, Park Chung Hee military coup. - A group of military officers, led by Major General Park Chung Hee, takes over the government. The coup's core comprises General Park, his nephew, Lt. Colonel Kim Jong Pil, and 10 other members of the Korean Military Academy class of 1949. President Yun Po Sun rejects the offer of General Magruder, commander of US-ROK forces, to put down the coup with troops under his command.
- Martial law established. - Following the coup, the Military Revolutionary Committee establishes martial law and dissolves the National Assembly. The Committee also begins to carry out its vow to purge the government of corrupt and unqualified officials.
- May, the Military Revolutionary Committee forms the Supreme Council for National Re construction to run the government. - The Council pledges to build a self-reliant economy and re-establish a proper moral tone in society.
- June, the Korean CIA is established. - Kim Jong Pil is named head.
- July, General Park is named chairman of the Supreme Council.
- 12 Aug., Gen. Park announces that the military will hand over power to civilians. - However, he adds the condition that power will be transferred after it drafts a new constitution which is approved in a national referendum to be held in May, 1963.
- Dec., the Taean Work System is established in N. Korea. - The system is to apply the agricultural management techniques developed, such as the Chongsan-ni method, to industry.
- Village electrification reaches 92% in N. Korea. - Only 47% of villages had received electricity in 1953.
1962 - Mar., Pres. Yun resigns.
- The First Five Year Development Program is implemented. - It proscribed a governent-business partnership with emphasis on large corporations and heavy industry with heavy government involvement in economic planning. The 2d five year plan, '67-'71; 3d, '72-'76; 4th, '77-'81.
- 17 Dec., The Constitutional Referendum is held early and is approved by 78.8% of the vote*. - The constitution expands the powers of the president at the expense of the National Assembly. The president is to be elected by a popular vote He is to have the authority to issue emergency laws and establish martial law.
1963 - 17 Aug., Park Chung Hee resigns from the army and announces his candidacy for presi dent.
- 15 Oct., Park Chung Hee is elected president. - Park, Democratic Republican Party, narrowly defeats Yun Po Sun, New Democratic Party, by a 46.7% to 45.1% margin of the popular vote*.
1961-63 - The value of South Korea's exports expands from $41 million to $85 million*.
1965 - April, Normalization of relations between the ROK and Japan. - The Treaty on Basic Relations is signed which normalizes relations between the two countries. Japan also agrees to give the ROK $300 million in grants and $500 million in loans. Koreans living in Japan are granted residency status and 12 mile territorial limits are recognized along each nation's coasts, which resolves a long standing fishing dispute.
- Soviet aid to North Korea. - Soviet Premier Kosygin visits Kim Il Sung and agrees to increase economic and military aid to North Korea.
- South Korea sends troops to Vietnam. - The first of 45,000 ROK troops leave to fight the communist insurgents in Vietnam.The ROK is awarded military supply contracts in return.
- Syngman Rhee dies.
1966 - Kim Il Sung named General Secretary of the Korean Workers Party.
1967 - President Park is re-elected. - Park garners 51.5% of the vote.
1968 - 21 Jan., Attack on the Blue House. - North Korean special forces troops are stopped from their assassination mission within 500 meters of the South Korean presidential mansion, the Blue House.
- 23 Jan., the Pueblo Incident. - North Korea captures the US spy ship, The Pueblo, and holds the remaining 82 crew members prisoner for nearly a year.
- North Korean commando raids reach their peak. - Over 600 infiltrations are attempted and over 100 soldiers die along the DMZ in 1968.
1969 - 15 April, shootdown of US reconnaissance aircraft. - A North Korean fighter plane shoots down a US EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft 90 miles off from the North Korean coast, killing 31 airmen.
- Constitutional ammendment to allow President Park to run for third term.
1970 - Chou En-lai visits Pyongyang.
- 15 Aug., Pres. Park announces that South Korea is willing to open gradual contact with the North if they renounce the use of force.
1971 - President Park is narrowly re-elected to a third term. - Kim Dae Jung receives 45% of the vote.
- Pres. Park begins the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement). - It seeks to improve living conditions in rural areas, raise productivity and farm income, by increasing access to loans and empowering local citizens to carry out public works projects.
- 21 Aug., Kim Il Song proposes a summit meeting between himself and Park Chung Hee.
- 27 Dec., the "Special Law for National Protection". - The Assembly passes the "Special Law for National Protection", which prohibits public assembly and collective bargaining, and further limits freedom of speech and of the press.
- May, KCIA director meets with Kim Il Song's brother. - The KCIA director, Yi Hu Rak, goes to Pyongyang and meets with Kim Yong Ju, Kim Il Sung's brother, to discuss ways of reducing tensions between the two countries. One result of the talks was the establishment of the North-South Coordinating Committee..
1972 - 17 Oct., President Park declares martial law, abolishes the constitution, dismisses the As sembly, and outlaws political activity.
- Oct., Park announces the Yushin Constitution. - Park makes this announcement days after declaring martial law. Under this constitution, the president is appointed by a National Conference for Unification, half of which is appointed by the president. The president can serve an unlimited number of 6 year terms. The president appoints 1/3 of the National Assembly which is to meet for only 2 weeks per year.
- New North Korean Constitution; Kim Il Sung named president.
- Nov., a North-South Coordinating Committee is established to discuss reunification.
1973 - 23 June, Pres. Park calls for the two Koreas to be admitted into the UN simultaneously.
- 9 Aug., the KCIA kidnaps Kim Dae Jung. - Presidential candidate Kim Dae Jung is kidnapped in Tokyo by KCIA agents, smuggled back to Seoul and tortured.
1974 - 15 Aug., Assassination attempt on Pres. Park. - A South Korean resident of Japan fails in an attempt to assassinate Park but kills Park's wife.
- Nov., the first infiltration tunnel is discovered. - South Korea discovers a tunnel dug under the DMZ running from North Korea into the South.
- The KCIA arrests church and student activists. - The activists were protesting the Yushin constitution and civil rights abuses. Among those arrested are the Catholic poet Kim Chi Ha, Kim Dong Gil, the dean of Yonsei University, and Bishop Daniel Tji Hak Sun. Kim Chi Ha is sentenced to death.
1975 - Mar., a second invasion/infiltration tunnel is discovered.
- Emergency Measure Number Nine. - This emergency decree by Pres. Park make it a crime to criticize the president, the constitution, the decree itself, or give press coverage to those who do.
- The U.S. 7th Infantry Division is withdrawn from S. Korea.
1976 - The Democratic Declaration. - A group of major political leaders, to include Kim Dae Jung and ex-President Yun, issue the declaration calling for restoration of democracy. The signatures are arrested and sentenced to 5 to 8 years in prison. Kim Dae Jung serves four years.
- 18 Aug., the Axe Murders. - North Korean troops assault an unarmed group of US soldiers at tempting to cut down a tree in the Demilitarized Zone and kill two of them with axes. U.S. President Ford responds by sending B-52's to fly along the DMZ as a warning.
- N. Korea defaults on its foreign loans. - North Korea finds it difficult afterwards to find access to loans .
1977 - Koreagate. - A Korean businessman is caught trying to buy influence with US Congressmen with Korean government-provided money.
- Pres. Carter announces troop pullout. - US Pres. Carter states that the US will pull its military forces from S. Korea over the course of 4 to 5 years.
- Last year N. Korean GNP equal to S. Korea's. - According to U.S. CIA figures.
1978 - Oct., a third North Korean invasion/infiltration tunnel is discovered.
- Major shift in labor force. - By 1978, the percentage of the labor force in agriculture and fishing industry has dropped to 38.4% from 58.7% in 1965. Accordingly, the percentage of labor in manufacturing has risen from 10.3% in 1965 to 38.4%.*
- 1st "Team Spirit" joint U.S.-ROK exercise held. - Over 200,000 U.S. and S. Korean service members participate in the joint military exercise. 1978?
1979 - June, Emergence of Kim Young Sam. - After taking over the leadership of the opposition New Democratic Party, Kim denounces the Park government on the floor of the national assembly for unconstitutional acts, human rights abuses and other abuses of power
- 30 June, Carter visits Korea and meets Park.
- 11 Aug., The YH Incident. - One woman dies after riot police attempt to remove women workers occupying the New Democratic Party HQ building. 200 former employees of the bankrupt YH Industrial Company had demanded the right to manage the defunct company themselves. The incident becomes a rallying cry for further demonstrations.
- 13 Oct, Kim Young Sam expelled from Assembly; opposition party assembly members resign. - When the government responds to Kim Young Sam's verbal attack by forcing him from the Assembly, all 66 opposition party assembly members resign. The US temporarily recalls Ambassador Gleysteen.
- 26 Oct., Park Chung Hee is assassinated. - KCIA director Kim Chae Kyu kills Park in a dining room at KCIA Headquarters.
- 6 Dec., Choe Kyu Hah is declared President; Martial law declared. - Choe is declared acting president in accordance with the constitution by the National Conference on Unification. Choe announces martial law is in effect throughout Korea except for Cheju Island. The US sends a carrier task force to Korean waters.
- 9-10 Dec., Pres. Choe releases Kim Dae Jung, repeals Emergency Measure No. 9. - Kim is released from house arrest along with hundreds of other political prisoners from prison.
- 12 Dec., Gen. Chun Du Hwan begins grab for power. - Gen. Chun, in charge of the assassination investigation, arrests Army Chief, General Song Sung Hwa and, with permission from Pres. Choi, seizes command of the armed forces. Troops under the command of Gen. Roh Tae Woo, one of Gen. Chun's co-conspirators, capture the ROKA headquarters after a bloody battle.

1980 to 1995

1980 - 12 Jan., the ROK refers to the North as the "DPRK" for the first time. - South Korea refers to the North as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" for the first time in a response to an offer to hold prime minister talks.
- 24 Jan., US troop withdrawal halted. - Pres. Carter announces a delay to scheduled troop withdrawals during his State of the Union address. The delay becomes permanent and the withdrawal ends after 3,600 military personnel are withdrawn.
- 29 Feb., Pres. Choe pardons Kim Dae Jung and 686 other dissidents.
- 23-27 March, ROK military personnel turn back three seperate NK infiltration attempts. - Frogmen crossing the Han estuary, a spy boat near Pohang and armed infiltrators on the DMZ.
- 14 April, Chun Du Hwan names himself Acting Director of the KCIA.
- 24 April, Massive coal miner riot ends. - Over 3,500 coal miners riot for four days in Sabuk, 80 miles southeast of Seoul. One police officer is killed and 70 police officer and 30 miners are injured. The rioting ended after company officials agreed to worker demands, to include a 20 percent wage increase.
- 29 April, workers in over 25 companies nationwide hold strikes.
- 2-15 May, anti-Chun student demonstrations. - Over 100,000 students demonstrate in Seoul against Chun Du Hwan's unconstitutional grab for power. Students also call for an end to martial law and democratic reforms. On the 14th, over 200 students were seriously injured and 400 arrested during the protests. Students call off the protests after a plea for restraint and promises of reform by the prime minister.
- 17 May, Gen. Chun extends martial law. Dissidents arrested. - In response to strikes and demonstrations, martial law is extended nationwide. Kim Dae Jung, Kim Jong Pil, Kim Young Sam and other political leaders and dissidents are arrested for instigating social unrest or illicitly amassing wealth. The government issues Decree No. 10, which closes all universities; bans political rallies and labor strikes; requires prior censorship for radio and television broadcasts, newspapers and other publications; and prohibits "slanderous statements" against present or former presidents.
- 18-27 May, the Kwangju Massacre. - Special Forces troops are sent in when local police are overwhelmed when 800 students demonstrate against the Chun regime. The Special Forces troops open fire and kill scores of demonstrators. On 20 May 20,000 citizens rally in the streets and the SF troops withdraw from the city. Radical students and rebel elements seize a military armory and arm themselves with around 6,000 rifles, armored personnel carriers, and military trucks. On 25 May, 50,000 citizens and students demonstrate for the end of martial law and the release of Kim Dae Jung. More troops, a division under the command of Gen. Roh Tae Woo, are deployed around the city and, on 27 May, attack. After a short (2 hour) but bloody battle the army takes the city. All told, between 170 (government figures [144 civilians, 22 soldiers, and four policemen]) and 2000 (local figures) civilians are killed. 1,740 demonstrators are arrested. As a result, regional animosity grew as during the siege of the city rumors had spread that Kyongsan Province soldiers were coming to kill Cholla people. Another result was the fanning of anti-American sentiment. Many people felt that the head of the Combined Forces Command, Gen. Wickham, had released the ROK troops from under his command to put down the rebellion. These feelings were further strengthened by US president Reagan's strong expressions of support for the Chun regime after the incident. In Feb. 1981 Chun was the first official guest of Pres. Reagan, angering many South Koreans.
- 19 May, National Assembly and political party headquarters closed. - Martial Law Command orders the closings.
- 22 May, Kim Dae Jung is accused of plotting to overthrow the government. - Military government authorities formally accuse Kim of directing antigovernment unrest (including the Kwangju uprising) and planning a mass uprising to overthrow the government.
- 24 May, Kim Chae Kyu is hanged. - Kim and four accomplices are hanged in Seoul City Prison for the assassination of Park Chung Hee.
- 2-4 June, Chun Du Hwan consolidates his power. - Chun Du Hwan induces Pres. Choe to create a Special Committee for National Security Measures, with Chun (who resigns from his post as KCIA Director) as its head. The "advisory" committee is to coordinate activities of the presidents cabinet and martial law forces. On the 4th, LTG Chun establishes 14 subcommittees which will carry out all government functions, to include justice, economic measures, and foreign affairs. Generals and field grade officers make up the majority of staffing for both the Special Committee and the subcommittees.
- 12 June, US reacts to Chun. - The Carter Administration cancels scheduled intergovernmental contacts and states that the US will review its relationship with the ROK government.
- 18 June, Kim Jung Pil forced to retire from politics. - Kim and nine other politicians forced to resign from politics and turn over properties and money totaling $147.6 million.
- 15 July, Bureaucrats fired in "Purification" movement. - As part of an anti-corruption and inefficiency movement, the government dismisses 232 high- and 4,760 middle and lower grade civil servants, and 1,819 executives from state-run companies and organizations. Among those dismissed are one cabinet minister, six vice ministers, and three provincial governors.
- 30 July, Gov. bans 172 periodicals and presses dismissal of journalists. - Publications are banned for being "lewd" or for provoking "social instability". Martial law authorities also order publishers to fire reporters who are critics of the government, speak out against censorship, or otherwise "inimical" to the national interest.
- 6 Aug., Chun promoted to four-star general.
- 6 Aug., Martial law authorities arrest 16,599 "hoodlums". - As part of the "purification" movement, authorities arrest smugglers, drug pushers, and other petty criminals.
- 14 Aug., Military trial for Kim Dae Jung begins. - If convicted of violating national security laws and plotting insurrection he can be sentenced to death.
- 16 Aug., Pres. Choi resigns. - Acting Prime Minister Park Chung Hoon assumes position as interim President.
- 22 Aug., Chun retires from military. - Chun retires in order to run for president.
- 27 Aug., Chun Du Hwan is named president. - Chun is chosen unanimously by the electoral college. Pres. Chun stresses national security, a return to traditional values, and attempts to move the economy from centralized control to a free enterprise system. Following his inauguration, 1,139 prisoners are freed and the universities are reopened.
- 17 Sept., Kim Dae Jung sentenced to death, exile in the U.S. - Kim Dae Jung is convicted of anti-state activities but the U.S. persuades Chun to suspend the sentence and allow Kim to come to the U.S..
- 22 Oct., New Constitution. - Electorate approves constituition in referendum with 92% approval. According to the new constitution, presidents will be limited to one, seven-year term, and the president will no longer nominate one-third of the National Assembly or name judges, except the Chief Justice; habeus corpus is restored while other civil liberties are strengthened and guaranteed.
- 14 Oct., Kim Il Sung proposes unification as the Democratic Confederal Republic of Ko ryo. - Kim's proposal comes at the North Korean Worker's Party Congress in Pyongyang.
- Three Revolutions Team Movement. - This new movement succeeds the Chollima Movement and directs the establishment of party cadre teams to go to factories, enterprises, and cooperative farms to provide political, ideological, and technical guidance.
- 29 Nov., Japan threatens to cut economic ties if Kim Dae Jung executed.
- 22 Dec., The KCIA is renamed the ANSP. - The Agency for National Security Planning.
1981 - Jan., Chun Doo Hwan is President Reagan's first official guest.
1983 - Sept., The KAL 007 Shootdown. - A Soviet air force fighter plane shoots down a Korean Air Lines 747 which strays into Soviet restricted airspace over the Sakhalin Island. All on board are killed.
- Oct., The Rangoon Bombing. - North Korean spies, intending to kill Pres. Chun, plant a bomb which goes off early and kills members his delegation in Rangoon, Burma.
- Nov., President Reagan visits South Korea.
1984 - North Korea passes Joint Venture Law. - Allows foreign business firms to repatriate profits earned from factories jointly operated in North Korea.
1985 - Opposition party gains control of Assembly in elections.
- University students occupy the U.S. Information Service headquarters in Seoul. - The students demand a meeting with the U.S. ambassador to discuss the U.S.'s role in the Kwangju Massacre. The students are arrested after four days.
- North Korea signs the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
1986 - Financial scandals in the Chun administration. - The Chun administration is rocked by financial scandals involving himself, his wife, some of his close associates and members of his family. His wife, among others, is sentenced to prison.
1987 - 12 Oct., the National Assembly adopts a new constitution. - Under the new constitution the president is elected directly by the people, can run for one, five year term, power is restored to the Assembly, and civil rights are guaranteed. The new constitution is approved in a referendum on 27 October.
- Students demonstrate for direct presidential elections. - The US warns Pres. Chun to not attempt a military crackdown on the demonstrations.
- 16 Dec., Roh Tae Woo is elected president. - Roh (Democratic Justice Party) is declared winner of the presidential election with 36.3% of the vote. Voting is spilt between Roh, Kim Dae Jung (Peace and Democracy Party), Kim Young Sam, (Democratic Reunification Party), and Kim Jong Pil (Democratic Republican Party).
- 29 Nov., the KAL bombing. - North Korean agents blow up a Korean Airlines 747 in mid-air, killing all 104 passengers and 11 crew members.
1988 - Trade agreements with communist countries. - Pres. Roh negotiates trade and diplomatic agreements with Russia, China, and other communist countries.
- 17 Sept., Seoul hosts the Summer Olympics.
- Chun Doo Hwan goes into exile. - Ex-president Chun goes into self-imposed 2 year exile at a remote Buddhist temple.
- First inter-Korean trade. - South Korea buys 40 kgs of North Korean clams.
- The GNP annual growth rate reaches 12.1 percent, the highest in the world.
1989 - The three major political parties merge. - Following assembly elections in April, Pres. Roh, along with Kim Young Sam and Kim Jong Pil, announce that their three parties, (the Democratic Justice Party, the Reunification Democratic Party, and the New Democratic-Republican Party, respectively) will merge into one party to be called the Democratic Liberal Party..
- March 30, 10,000 riot police move in and break a strike at the Hyundai plant in Ulsan. - The first of a series of strikes began in Dec. 1988.
- July, The 13th World Festival of Youth and Students is held in Pyongyang.
- Aug., Kim Dae Jung is charged with violating the National Security Law. - Kim is implicated in connection with the a secret visit by an opposition assemblyman to Pyongyang in 1988.
- Nov., Kim Il Sung visits Beijing. - While there, Kim is assured that China will not recognize South Korea.
1990 - Russia requires North Korea to pay cash. - In the new trade agreement between the two countries, North Korea is required to pay cash for all purchases of goods from the Russia.
- Suspicions arrise over construction at North Korea's nuclear power plant near Yongbyon. - U.S., Japanese, and South Korean experts suspect that the North is constructing a reprocessing facility to produce nuclear weapons grade plutonium. North Korea, which has not yet signed the safeguards agreement of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and will not allow on-site inspection by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.
- Jan., North Korea breaks off contact with the South over the planned U.S./ROK "Team Spirit" joint military exercise.
- March, Chinese leader Jiang Zemin visits Pyongyang.
- April, Commercial airline service between South Korea and the Soviet Union commences.
- June, President Roh meets with Soviet leader Gorbachev in San Francisco. - The symbolically important meeting
- Sept., North-South prime ministers meeting. - The meeting held in Seoul is the first ever of its kind. Two other meetings are held in 1990, in Pyongyang and again in Seoul.
- Dec., President Roh visits Gorbachev in Moscow.
- Dec., First business contract signed between South and North Korean companies. - Between the South's Doosung Co. and the North's Kumgangsan International Trade and Development Co.
1991 - Jan., DPRK-Japan Normalization talks. - Talks to normalize relations between North Korea and Japan are held for the first time . The talks fell apart over N. Korea's demand for reparations from the colonial period.
- April, Gorbachev meets Roh Tae Woo on Cheju Island.
- May, Chinese premier Li Peng visits Pyongyang. - While there he pushes the North towards a concilliatory position towards South Korea.
- June, North Korea conditionally agrees to sign the nuclear safeguards agreement. - North Korea announces that it will sign the nuclear safeguards agreement but will not allow inspections of its nuclear facilities until the U.S. removes its nuclear weapons from South Korea and allows inspections of its bases in the South.
- Sept. 17, North and South Korea enter the UN. - First South, and then North, Korea seek and receive admittance into the UN.
- Sept. 28, The U.S. announces that it is pulling its nuclear weapons from South Korea.
- Oct., Kim Il Sung visits China.
- Oct. 23, North and South agree to draft nonaggression treaty. - The agreement comes out of the fourth North-South prime ministers meeting in Pyongyang.
- South Korea provides support the the Gulf War allies. - South Korea sends a 134 member medical team and 500 million U.S. dollars to the forces battling Iraq in the Persian Gulf conflict.
- Free Trade Zone established in N. Korea. - The zone is established in the Unggi, Chongjin, Najin area.
- Dec. 13, Agreement on Reconciliation, Nonaggression, and Exchanges and Cooperation Between the South and the North signed. - At the fifth North-South prime ministers summit, the two sides agree to respect each other's social system, resolve differences peacefully, and reestablish direct communication and transportation lines. Further, the two sides tenatively agree to renounce the production or possession of nuclear weapons.
- Dec. 24, Kim Jong Il named Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army .
1992 - Jan. 30, N. Korea signs the IAEA agreement on Nuclear Safeguards. - N. Korea signs the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Full Scope Sageguards Agreement and agrees to allow inspections of its nuclear facilities.
- "Team Spirit" exercise cancelled. - The U.S. and South Korea call off this year's "Team Spirit" joint military exercise following North Korea's pledge to sign the IAEA nuclear safeguards agreement.
- Jan. 30, North Korea signs the nuclear safeguards agreement.
- Feb. 19, North and South Korea formally agree to "denuclearize" the peninsula. - At the sixth North-South prime ministers meeting, the two sides formally agree to renounce the production or possession of nuclear weapons. This accord cements the tenative pact agreed to at the fifth prime ministers meeting..
- China requires North Korea to pay cash. - Similarly to actions taken by Russia in 1990, China requires North Korea to pay cash for all goods and services.
- March 24, South Korea holds National Assembly elections.
- April 15, North Korea celebrates Kim Il Sung's 80th birthday. - Two weeks of elaborate and costly celebrations take place throughout North Korea in commemoration of Kim's birthday.
- Sept., Roh Tae Woo resigns from the DLP. - Roh resigns from the Democratic Liberal Party in an attempt to present the government as a neutral party in the coming presidential elections.
- North Korean spy ring cracked. - South Korea uncovers North Korean agents reportedly sent to establish a cell of the North Korean Workers Party.
- Dec. 18, Kim Yong Sam elected president. - With 82% of eligible voters participating, Kim Yong Sam receives 42% of the vote. President Kim is the first freely elected president since Syngman Rhee not to have been a military officer at one time.
1993 - Feb., North Korea refuses to allow inspections of nuclear facilities. - North Korea refuses to allow IAEA inspectors to visit a nuclear waste storage dump. The IAEA gives the North Koreans until March 31 to open their facilities.
- March 12, North Korea announces that it will withdraw from the Nonproliferation Treaty. - The withdrawal would become effective in 90 days. The IAEA responds by stating that it will go to the U.N. Security Council to pursue sanctions against the North.
- June 10, North Korea suspends its withdrawal from the NPT. - On the 2nd, NK vice foreign minister Kang Sok Ju met with U.S. assistant secretary of state Robert Gallucci in New York to solve the impasse.
- July, Pres. Clinton visits South Korea.
1994 - 15 July, Kim Il Sung dies. - Kim Jong Il begins 100 day mourning period.
1995 - Oct. 19, Roh Tae Woo slush fund scandal. - Rep. Park Kye Dong of the opposition Democratic Party claims during a National Assembly session that former president Roh maintains a 400 billion won secret fund in several secret bank accounts under borrowed names On Oct. 30, Roh makes a public apology to the nation and admits that he received 500 billion won from various companies during his presidency, 170 billion won of which he still has. Roh is arrested and jailed on Nov. 16 for bribery.
1996 - September - NK submarine runs aground off Kangnung. Massive ROK force deployed to track down NK infiltrators
1997 - February - Kim Dae Jung elected ROK President
2000 - June - First ever ROK/NK Summit meeting
2002 - Febrary - Roh Moo Hyun elected ROK President

This is pretty good! I may add a consolidated version to the encyclopedia.

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