Key Events in Inter-Korean Relations and Korean History
Quick Look
A timeline of significant events in Korean history, including the 1866 General Sherman incident, the birth of patriot Kim Koo, inter-Korean alliances and talks, military tensions, economic deals, and sports achievements.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This timeline details key historical events related to the Korean Peninsula, focusing on the relationship between North and South Korea, and their interactions with other nations.
1866 -- The U.S. commercial ship General Sherman is set alight in a clash with Koreans after it sailed into the Taedong River, which flows through Pyongyang, now the North Korean capital. The ship sought to open trade with Korea, then a "hermit kingdom."
1876 -- Kim Koo, one of the most revered Korean patriots, is born. A key leader of the provisional Korean government in exile in Shanghai, China, during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea, Kim played a pivotal role in consolidating the nation after independence from Japan at the end of World War II in 1945. He was assassinated by an ultrarightist at his home in Seoul.
1961 -- North Korea and China sign a military alliance treaty in Beijing.
2005 -- The two Koreas hold a 10th round of economic talks in Seoul, and agree to conduct a trial run of two cross-border railways and open two adjacent roads in October.
2006 -- The two Koreas hold a 19th round of Cabinet-level talks in the southeastern port city of Busan to discuss a number of issues, including South Korea's rice aid to the North and disputes surrounding North Korea's missile launches in early July of that year.
2008 -- A South Korean tourist at North Korea's Mount Kumkang resort is shot dead by a North Korean soldier.
2011 -- A consortium led by CJ Group, a South Korean food and entertainment conglomerate, signs a contract to purchase a controlling 37.62 percent stake in Korea Express for 1.85 trillion won (US$1.75 billion).
2013 -- North Korea puts on hold its proposal to resume programs for reunions of families who remain separated since the Korean War and the restart of a cross-border South Korean sightseeing tour.
2015 -- South Korea captures the gold medal in women's doubles tennis at the Universiade. It marked the first time since 1991 that a South Korean women's doubles team has won the Universiade gold.
2016 -- North Korea warns it will take "physical" actions against South Korea and the United States over the allies' decision to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system, called THAAD, in the South.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further military tensions between North Korea and the US/South Korea alliance.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the current status of inter-Korean family reunions?
- What are the long-term implications of the THAAD deployment?
