The document summarizes the division and relationship between North and South Korea over time. It discusses how Korea was divided after World War II with the Soviet Union occupying the north and the US occupying the south. This led to the emergence of two antagonistic states with opposing political and economic systems. It also outlines the major events in their relationship, including the Korean War, Sunshine Policy of engagement, recent peace efforts including inter-Korean summits and cooperation around the 2018 Winter Olympics.
2. Division of Korea
The Korean peninsula had been occupied by
Japan from 1910.
In the closing days of World War II, the Soviet
Union declared war on Japan and advanced
into Korea.
The US government requested Soviet forces
halt their advance, leaving the south of the
peninsula.
Both occupying powers began promoting
into positions of authority Koreans aligned
with their side of politics and marginalizing
their opponents.
As a result, two antagonistic states emerged,
with diametrically opposed political,
economic, and social systems.
3. Korean War
North Korea invaded the South on June 25, 1950, and swiftly overran most
of the country.
2 months later, the United Nations force, led by the United States,
intervened to defend the South, and advanced into North Korea.
As they neared the border with China, Chinese forces intervened on behalf
of North Korea, shifting the balance of the war again.
Fighting ended on July 27, 1953, which established the Korean
Demilitarized Zone.
5. The Sunshine Policy(1998)
The Sunshine Policy refers to the theoretical basis for South
Korea's foreign policy towards North Korea.
Trade increased to the point where South Korea became North Korea's
largest trading partner.
Starting in 1998, the Mount Kumgang Tourist Region was developed as a
joint venture between the North Korean government and Hyundai.
In 2003, the Kaesong Industrial Region was established to allow South
Korean businesses to invest in the North.
The Sunshine Policy was formally abandoned by the new South Korean
President in 2010.
6. The Winter Games
In May 2017, the President of South Korea promised to return to the
Sunshine Policy.
In his New Year address for 2018, North Korean leader proposed sending
a delegation to the upcoming Winter Olympics in South Korea.
The Seoul–Pyongyang hotline was reopened after almost two years.
Following the Olympics, authorities of the two countries raised the
possibility that they could host the 2021 Asian Winter Games together.
7. First 2018Inter-Korean Summit
On 27 April, the 2018 inter-Korean summit took place between
President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and Kim Jong-un of North Korea in
the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area.
It was also the first time since the Korean War that a North Korean leader
had entered South Korean territory.
The summit ended with both countries pledging to work towards
complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
At this summit the leaders of North and South Korea agreed to work to
remove all nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula and, within the
year, to declare an official end to the Korean War
9. Both sides called for the end of longstanding military activities in the region of
the Korean border and a reunification of Korea.
Also, the leaders of the region's two divided states have agreed to work together
to connect and modernize their border railways.
On 5 May, Pyongyang adjusted its time 30 minutes forward at 1500 GMT upon a
decree issued by the Supreme People's Assembly.
Now, North and South Korea have a universal time.
However, on 16 May, North Korea called off high-level talks with South Korea
because of the South's military exercises with the United States.
10. Second 2018 Inter-Korean Summit
Moon and Kim met the second time on 26 May.
It was concerned with Kim's upcoming summit with US President Donald
Trump.
The summit resulted in two additional meetings between North and South
Korean officials during the month of June.
During the first meeting, which was held on June 1, officials from both
countries agreed to move forward with the military and Red Cross talks as
agreed during the summit.
The second meeting, involving the Red Cross and military, was held on
June 22, 2018, when it was agreed that family reunions which had been
cancelled in 2015 would resume between August 20 and 26, 2018.
12. Third2018 Inter-Korean Summit
On 13 August, it was announced that a third 2018 inter-Korean summit
would be held in the North Korean capital of in September.
On 6 September the South Korean government said North and South
Korea have agreed to hold a summit meeting between their leaders on
September 18–20 at the decided place.
13. Military Component
South Korea announced on 23 June 2018 that it would not conduct annual
military exercises with the USA, and would also stop its own drills in the
Yellow Sea, in order to not provoke North Korea and to continue a
peaceful dialog.
On 1 July 2018 South and North Korea have resumed ship-to-ship radio
communication, which can be seen as a hotline for preventing accidental
clashes between South and North Korean military vessels around the
Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West (Yellow) Sea.
On 17 July 2018, South and North Korea fully restored their military
communication line on the western part of the peninsula.
14. Cultural and Social Ties
South Korea and North Korea have created a unified team for the 2018
Asian Games, with a unified country name and flag of "Korea".
Both sides will also be cooperating on the film industry, with South Korea
giving their approval to screen North Korean movies at the country's local
festival while inviting several moviemakers from the latter.
In August 2018 reunions of families divided since the Korean War took
place at Mount Kumgang in North Korea.
