Asian Time line

  • Eulsa Treaty

    Eulsa Treaty
    This treaty made it so that Japan would protect Korea from any war/ threats. It is also known as the Japan-Korea Treaty
  • Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty

    Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty
    This declared the Korean Empire part of the Empire of Japan. However, many people of both countries did sign the treaty it is said to be forced on the Korean country by Japan. During this time Koreans were forced to become part of the Japanese culture. However, Japan also helped modernized Korea.
  • The Potsdam Conference

    The Potsdam Conference
    Mainly the US, UK, and the Soviet Union have a meeting of what they plan to do with Korea, but they do not include Korea in this. And it was here that it was decided that there would be north for the communist and south for everyone else which was divided by the 38th Parallel.
  • Movement to the North

    Movement to the North
    As part of the agreement, the Soviet Union move troops into North Korea to aid Kim il-Sung, but the US is not allowed to yet.
  • End of World War 2

    End of World War 2
    The Empire of Japan finally surrenders to the Allies leaving Korea alone.
  • The Start of the South

    The Start of the South
    Japan surrenders the rest of Korea to the US which is just under the 38th Parallel (modern day South Korea) which was part of the agreement.
  • US Speaks Against Communism

    US Speaks Against Communism
    President Harry Truman pledges that the US will help any country under the intimidation of communism. This starts an even stronger alliance between the US and South Korea.
  • First Election

    The southern part of Korea plans to hold its first election for the people
  • Constitution and President

    Constitution and President
    The upcoming country creates its new constitution and soon elects its president; Syngman Rhee, on the 20th of July.
  • North Korea's governement

    North Korea held its first elections for parliament, and part of the agreement at Potsdam Conference the Soviet Union had to move out of Korea at this time and allow North Korea to start to run its own country.
  • North and South Korea are Two

    North and South Korea are Two
    Even though the two were split and recognized as different regions, they were not technically two different countries until South Korea separated making a new country.
  • Korean War Starts

    Korean War Starts
    Korea sends full out attack on South Korea with tanks and their whole army going past the 38th Parallel
  • Possible unification

    Martial law. General Park Chung-hee increases his powers with constitutional changes.
    After secret North-South talks, both sides seek to develop dialogue aimed at unification.
  • South Korean President Assasinated

    South Korean President Assasinated
    Park was assassinated. General Chun Doo-hwan seizes power the following year.
  • North and South Korea join the UN

    North and South Korea join the UN
  • "Sunshine Policy"

    "Sunshine Policy"
    Kim Dae-jung sworn was in as president and pursues "sunshine policy" of offering unconditional economic and humanitarian aid to North Korea.
  • President given Nobel Peace Prize

    President given Nobel Peace Prize
    Border liaison offices re-open at truce village of Panmunjom. South Korea gives amnesty to more than 3,500 prisoners. One hundred North Koreans meet their relatives in the South in a highly-charged, emotional reunion. Kim Dae-jung awarded Nobel Peace Prize
  • Naval Battle

    Naval Battle
    Battle between South Korean and North Korean naval vessels along their disputed sea border leaves four South Koreans dead and 19 wounded. Thirty North Koreans are thought to have been killed.
  • Transportation between the two countries

    Passenger trains cross the North-South border for the first time in 56 years.
  • North Korea gives up on South Korea

    North Korea says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South.
  • Exchanging fire across borders

    Exchanging fire across borders
    South and North Korean warships exchange fire across a disputed sea border, and again in January.
  • South helps the North

    North accepts an offer of food aid from South, the first such aid in two years.
  • Battles over the sea

    Battles over the sea
    Cross-border clash near disputed maritime border results in death of two South Korean marines. South Korea places its military on highest non-wartime alert after shells land on Yeonpyeong island. Further exchange of fire in August.
  • South gives up on North again

    South Korea breaks off all trade with the North after naval ship Cheonan was sunk by a North Korean torpedo in March. Pyongyang describes the findings as a "fabrication" and cuts all diplomatic ties with Seoul.
  • Battles over the sea

    Battles over the sea
    North and South Korea engage in rare exchange fire across their land border as South Korean activists launch balloons containing leaflets condemning North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Gun fire also exchanged when Northern patrol ship crossed disputed western maritime border.
  • North Korean President visits the South

    North Korean President visits the South
    Kim Jong-un becomes first North Korean leader to enter the South when he meets President Moon Jae-in for talks at the Panmunjom border crossing. They agree to end hostile actions and work towards reducing nuclear arms on the peninsula.