NIS 41B, South Korea, Country Profile/Chronology

by Central Intelligence Agency

Chronology (u/ou)

1910

August

Korea is formally annexed by Japan, ending 500-year rule of Yi dynasty.

1943

December

China, the United Kingdom, and the United States assert in Cairo that "in one due course Korea shall become free and independent."

1945

August

U.S.S.R. enters war against Japan. Allies order Japanese in Korea to surrender to Soviet forces north of 38th parallel and to U.S. forces south of it.

December

The United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and the United States agree at Moscow on "reestablishment of Korea as an independent state" following a period of trusteeship by the United States, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and China; China subsequently concurs.

1946

March

U.S.-Soviet Joint Commission is established to assist in forming a provisional Korean government; discussions lead to deadlock on major problems.

1948

May

U.N.-supervised elections are held in South Korea but rejected by Communists in North Korea.

August

Republic of Korea is established in the south, with Syngman Rhee (Yi Sung-man) as first President.

September

Democratic People's Republic of Korea is established in the north, with Kim Il-song as Premier.

December

U.N. General Assembly declares the Republic of Korea the legitimate government in South Korea.

Soviet Troops are evacuated from North Korea.

1949

June

All U.S. troops are withdrawn from South Korea except for a small military training mission.

1950

June

North Korean forces invade South Korea.

October

U.N. forces cross 38th parallel in pursuit of North Korean forces; Chinese Communist forces intervene.

1953

July

Armistice agreement between U.N. Command and North Korean-Chinese Communist side signed at P'anmunjom.

October

United States-Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is signed.

1954

April-May

"Geneva principles," as a basis for settlement of overall Korean question, formulated at Geneva Conference of Korea.

1955

May

Rhee reelected President for third term, but opposition leader Chang Myon (John M. Chang) defeats Rhee's running mate for vice presidency.

1968

March

President Rhee and Liberal Party gain sweeping victory by rigging elections.

April

Student demonstrations in Seoul against election rigging lead to violence and declaration of martial law; Rhee resigns and Foreign MInister Ho Chong becomes acting president.

June

National Assembly passes constitutional amendment adopting parliamentary form of government.

August

Yun Po-son becomes President and Chang Myon becomes Prime Minister of Second Republic, following Democratic Party victory in general elections.

1961

May

Military junta led by Maj. Gen. Pak Chong-hui and Col. Kim Chong-p'il seizes government in bloodless coup.

June

Supreme Council for National Reconstruction assumes all executive and legislative power.

1962

December

Major constitutional changes ratified in national referendum.

1963

October

General Pak wins narrow victory over former President Yun Po-son in presidential elections.

December

General Pak inaugurated as President of Third Republic.

1965

January

National Assembly votes to send noncombat troops to South Vietnam.

August

National Assembly approves dispatch of first combat troops to South Vietnam.

August-December

South Korea-Japan normalization accords ratified and instruments of ratification exchanged.

1966

March

National Assembly approves dispatch of additional combat troops to South Vietnam.

1967

February

Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement enters into force.

May

Pak Chong-hui is reelected for a second term as President.

1968

January

31-man North Korean commando squad tries to seize Blue House (presidential mansion) in Seoul.

1969

October

Constitutional change to permit presidential third term ratified in national referendum.

1971

April

Pak Chong-hui wins third term in close election by defeating Kim Tae-chung of the New Democratic Party.

August

Seoul proposes talks between North and South Korean Red Cross societies for purpose of reuniting families separated by the Korean war.

1971

September

Informal talks between Red Cross societies start.

December

President Pak declares state of national emergency to tighten controls on the population in conjunction with the North-South talks.

1972

August

Formal Red Cross talks between North and South Korea begin.

October

President Pak declares martial law and abrogates constitution preparatory to making major government changes.

November

Constitution rewritten to give the President sweeping new powers.

December

Pak Chong-hui elected to extended 6-year term.

1973

March

Withdrawal of South Korean forces from South Vietnam completed.