Time Line
This timeline was created with the aide of the World CIA Factbook as well as the BBC website. For educational purposes only.
This timeline was created with the aide of the World CIA Factbook as well as the BBC website. For educational purposes only.
A village in North Korea (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/asia_pac_unseen_north_korea/html/1.stm)
1945- After the surrender of Japan in WWII, Korea is occupied by Soviet troops in the North and US troops in the South.
1946- After a failure of a trusteeship between the US, Soviet Union, and China, North Korea is split at the 38th parallel.
1948- Elections are held in South Korea, and the Democratic Republic of Korea wins. Meanwhile, North Korea has become a communist state. The communist leader is Kim-Il-Sung (Born in 1912, died in 1994).
1950- North Korea invades South Korea, marking the beginning of the Korean War.
1953- Three years later, North Korea signs a ceasefire agreement and a stalemate is reached. North Korea and South Korea remain divided at the 38th parallel.
1968- US intelligence ship is captured by North Korea. A year later a US plane is also shot down by North Korea.
1972- North and South Korea discuss possible reunification; however, no agreement was ever reached.
1991- The Soviet Union collapses, leaving North Korea to fend for itself. No more oil or aide is shipped in.
1994- Beloved communist leader Kim-Il-Sung dies. Kim-Il-Jong (Born either 1941 or 1942), who is the son of Kim-Il-Sung, takes his place.
1996- Severe flooding destroys crop lands, causing widespread famine.
1997- The year with the highest mortality rate due to the famine in North Korea.
1998- The United Nations continue to send economic aide to the weakened North Korea.
2002- Private farming is allowed as an "experiment" by the government in order to help stable the shaky North Korean economy.
2005- North Korean cuts back on private farming; the remaining farmers with private land are not allowed to sell their crops for gain.
2007- North Korea seeks aide after massive floods destroy farm lands.
2008- South Korea declares it will only send aide to North Korea if it stops with nuclear testing and focuses on human rights violations.
2009- The North Korean government creates a new currency reform. This reform causes redomination of currency, and only a one week period for citizens to exchange their old currency (at a lesser value, no less).
2010- North Korea decides to decrease the amount of restrictions on private markets due to the failed currency reform.
2011- Livestock suffer from foot and mouth diseases. Many farmers lose their livestock, causing additional food shortages.
2005- North Korean cuts back on private farming; the remaining farmers with private land are not allowed to sell their crops for gain.
2007- North Korea seeks aide after massive floods destroy farm lands.
2008- South Korea declares it will only send aide to North Korea if it stops with nuclear testing and focuses on human rights violations.
2009- The North Korean government creates a new currency reform. This reform causes redomination of currency, and only a one week period for citizens to exchange their old currency (at a lesser value, no less).
2010- North Korea decides to decrease the amount of restrictions on private markets due to the failed currency reform.
2011- Livestock suffer from foot and mouth diseases. Many farmers lose their livestock, causing additional food shortages.