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Korean War
The Korean War began in 1950 and ended in 1953 by a peace agreement which split the North and South along the 38th parallel (Chenoweth). -
Establishing Concentration Camps
Camp 14, which was extablished in 1959, is one of the many concentration camps in North Korea (Castelloe). Camps have been created for low offenses, such as stealing, association with the black market, or even wondering the streets for food will be sent to one of the concentration camps (North Korea Politics). Out of the thousands in the camps, only a couple hundred make it out alive (North Korea Politics). -
Collapse of the North Korean Economy
In the mid- to late 1990's the North Korean economy plummeted to a point of near collapse (Chenoweth). Bartering was the only way of exchange (Chenoweth). -
The Death of Kim Il-Sung
At age 82, Kim Il-Sung died on July 8th, 1994 from a heart attack (Chenoweth). -
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Under Kim Jung- Il's Rule
Under the rule of Kim Jung- Il, there was no freedom of religion (Chenoweth). The only religion that was allowed were religions that were approved and linked to the state (Chenoweth). If a citizen was found with a Bible, the punishment was imprisonment or even execution (Chenoweth). Under Kim Jung- Il's rule, the citizens could no express themselves freely (Chenoweth). All of the media-- newspaper, magazines, television, and radio broadcast -- were monitored by the state (Chenoweth). -
The Start of Kim Jung-Il's Rule
After the death of Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jung-Il came into power (Chenoweth). He was the appointed the postion of general secretary of the Korean Worker's party (Chenoweth). -
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Widespread Famine
A widespread famine broke out across North Korea (Chenoweth). During the famine, peasants were allowed even less food (Chenoweth). As a result, many peasants were imprisoned for supposedly stealing food (Chenoweth). The famine ended up killing 2 million North Korean citizens (Chenoweth). Finally the North Korean government decided to accept food, medical equipment, and aid from the international community (Chenoweth). -
Kim Jung-Il Rises in Power
Years after being appointed general secretary of the Korean Workers Party, he was made the chairman of the National Defense Commission (Chenoweth). This is the highest political office in the state (Chenoweth). -
Shooting in North Korea
In 2008, at 4 A.M, a South Korean tourist at the age of 50 was shot by a North Korean Solider because she was "entering military territory" (Seok). This caused a giant uproar throughout Korea (Seok). -
End of Kim Jung-Il But the Beginning of Kim Jung-Un
After 17 years of leading North Korea, Kim Jung- Il died on December 18th, 2011 from a heart attack (North Korea: Country Outlook). Kim Jung- Un, Kim Jung- Il's third and youngest son, was then appointed the "Supreme Leader" (North Korea: Country Outlook).
