North Korea: History

1945

After World War II, Japanese occupation of Korea ends with Soviet troops occupying the north and United States troops occupying the south.

1948 The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is proclaimed and is headed by Kim Il-sung.

1950 The south declares independence, sparking a North Korean invasion and the Korean War.

1953 An armistice signed in 1953 ends the Korean War.

1996 Widespread floods lead to a severe famine, prompting international aid in the form of food support.

2002

The U.S., Japan, and South Korea halt oil shipments to North Korea after North Korea reportedly admits to developing a uranium-based nuclear program.

2006

North Korea conducts its first nuclear weapons test, promoting economic and commercial sanctions from the United Nations.

2010 The government relaxes free market restrictions after a 2009 currency revaluation wiped out much of the nation's cash savings.

2013

The United Nations approves new economic sanctions against North Korea after the nation stages another nuclear test. Additionally, China restricts exporting items that could be used to make nuclear weapons to North Korea.

2015

The U.S. imposes new sanctions on North Korea, including sanctions targeting the military, as well as the banking and shipping industries.

2017

KIM Jong Un declared the North's nuclear weapons development complete.

2018

KIM Jong Un announces a pivot towards diplomacy, including a reprioritization of economic development, pause in missile testing, and a halt in anti-US rhetoric.