Contemporary
Republic of Korea's era — overcoming liberation, division and war to achieve democratization and economic growth.
- 1945년
Liberation & division
With liberation came division: the US and the USSR occupied the peninsula along the 38th parallel.
- 1948년
Republic of Korea founded
The Republic of Korea was established in the south (Syngman Rhee as the first president).
- 1948년
Jeju April 3rd Incident
Amid conflicts over opposition to a separate southern election and the establishment of a unified government, uprisings and suppression operations on Jeju Island resulted in the deaths of countless civilians. It remains one of the most tragic events in modern Korean history.
- 1950년
Korean War
The North's invasion of the South left the entire nation deeply scarred (Incheon landing).
- 1953년
Armistice
The war halted along the armistice line, cementing the division.
- 1953년
ROK–US Mutual Defense Treaty
Signed by South Korea and the United States shortly after the armistice, this military alliance treaty provided for a joint response to external armed attack and the basis for stationing U.S. forces in Korea. It remains the foundation of the ROK-U.S. alliance today.
Related figures: Syngman Rhee
- 1960년
April Revolution
A citizen-student revolution against rigged elections brought down the Syngman Rhee regime.
- 1961년
May 16 Military Coup
Park Chung-hee and the military staged a coup, seizing power and laying the groundwork for a long-term authoritarian regime through a period of military rule.
Related figures: Park Chung-hee
- 1965년
Korea-Japan Treaty and Deployment to Vietnam
The Korea-Japan Agreement normalizing diplomatic relations was concluded, and around the same time Korean military deployment to Vietnam began in earnest. While the agreement secured funds for economic development, it also triggered fierce opposition movements.
- 1970년
Jeon Tae-il's Self-Immolation and Launch of the Saemaul Movement
Worker Jeon Tae-il set himself on fire demanding compliance with the Labor Standards Act, igniting the labor movement; in the same year, the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) was launched to modernize rural Korea.
Related figures: Jeon Taeil, Park Chung-hee
- 1972년
July 4th North-South Joint Communiqué
The first joint communiqué since the division, in which the two Koreas agreed on the principles of self-determination, peace, and national unity, opened the first chapter of inter-Korean dialogue.
Related figures: Park Chung-hee
- 1972년
October Yusin (Revitalization) Decree
The Park Chung-hee government enacted the Yusin Constitution, greatly expanding presidential powers and entrenching a system of prolonged one-man rule.
Related figures: Park Chung-hee
- 1979년
October 26 Incident and the December 12 Military Mutiny
The assassination of Park Chung-hee brought down the Yusin system, but Chun Doo-hwan and the new military clique seized power through the December 12 Military Mutiny.
Related figures: Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan
- 1980년
Gwangju Uprising
Citizens of Gwangju rose up against military dictatorship, demanding democracy.
- 1987년
June Democratic Struggle
A nationwide citizen uprising won direct presidential elections — a watershed of democratization.
- 1988년
Seoul Olympics
The successful Seoul Olympics introduced the Republic of Korea to the world.
- 1990년
Establishment of Korea–Soviet Relations
Under the Roh Tae-woo government's Nordpolitik, South Korea established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. Amid the unraveling of the Cold War, it broadened ties with the socialist bloc and paved the way for relations with China and the two Koreas' UN membership.
Related figures: Roh Tae-woo
- 1991년
Simultaneous UN Membership of the Two Koreas
South and North Korea joined the United Nations simultaneously as separate member states. This brought international recognition of both systems' existence and led the same year to the adoption of the inter-Korean Basic Agreement.
Related figures: Roh Tae-woo
- 1991년
Adoption of the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement
South and North Korea agreed to mutual recognition of each other's systems and pledged reconciliation and non-aggression in this document, which became an important milestone in inter-Korean relations.
- 1992년
Establishment of Korea–China Relations
South Korea established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, bringing the Roh Tae-woo government's Nordpolitik to fruition. It simultaneously severed ties with Taiwan (Republic of China); trade and exchanges between Korea and China subsequently expanded greatly.
Related figures: Roh Tae-woo
- 1997년
IMF Financial Crisis
Depletion of foreign currency reserves forced Korea to seek an IMF bailout, resulting in massive restructuring and unemployment; a national gold-collection campaign was launched in response.
- 2000년
June 15th North-South Summit
President Kim Dae-jung visited Pyongyang and held the first inter-Korean summit since the division, issuing the June 15th Joint Declaration and opening the way for reconciliation and cooperation.
Related figures: Kim Dae-jung
- 2002년
Korea-Japan World Cup and the Semifinal Miracle
At the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, the South Korean team advanced to the semifinals. The massive street cheering of the Red Devils swept the entire nation, becoming a cherished national memory.
- 2004년
Impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun
The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun, citing alleged violations such as breaching election neutrality. Amid strong public opposition, the Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment and the president was reinstated.
Related figures: Roh Moo-hyun
- 2007년
Korea–US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA)
South Korea and the United States signed a free trade agreement (in force from 2012). Concluded amid sharp debate over agriculture, automobiles, and more, it stands as one of Korea's landmark trade pacts with a major economic power.
- 2007년
October 4 Inter-Korean Summit
President Roh Moo-hyun visited Pyongyang for the second inter-Korean summit with Chairman Kim Jong-il, issuing the October 4 Declaration. It covered implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration, economic cooperation, and steps toward peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Related figures: Roh Moo-hyun
- 2008년
Global Financial Crisis
A financial crisis originating in the United States spread worldwide, and Korea too saw the won plunge, stock prices crash, and exports contract. The government and the Bank of Korea responded with measures such as a currency swap with the U.S., avoiding a collapse like the 1997 foreign-exchange crisis.
- 2016~2017년
Candlelight Rallies and Presidential Impeachment
Massive candlelight rallies protesting the abuse of presidential power swept the country. In 2017, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of the president. It stands as a landmark example of peaceful civic action changing the course of politics.
- 2018년
Panmunjom Declaration (April 27)
President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un held a summit at Panmunjom and issued the Panmunjom Declaration, pledging complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the building of a peace regime to formally end the war. It was the first summit held on the southern side since the division.
Related figures: Moon Jae-in
- 2024년
December 3 Martial Law and Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol
President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, but the National Assembly immediately voted to lift it and the attempt collapsed. The Assembly passed an impeachment motion, and the following year the Constitutional Court upheld it and removed the president from office. Peaceful citizen rallies played a major role in restoring democracy.
Related figures: Yoon Suk-yeol