Seoul: Today in Korean history, Pak Yong-hyo and other young reformist officials, with the backing of the Japanese government, briefly took control in a coup aimed at modernizing and opening Korea's last kingdom, the Yi Dynasty. The group sought to emulate Japan's successful institutional reforms of 1868, which had transformed Japan into a modern society. However, the coup was short-lived due to the intervention of the Chinese army, which was concerned about the shifting balance of power on the Korean Peninsula favoring the Japanese.According to Yonhap News Agency, notable events in Korean history include the 1964 accord between South Korea and West Germany aimed at promoting economic exchanges, and the 1979 trial of eight individuals, including former intelligence chief Kim Jae-kyu, by a military court on charges of assassinating President Park Chung-hee. Park had been in power for 19 years following a military coup before being assassinated on October 26, 1979.In 2003, the National Assembly of South Kor ea overrode President Roh Moo-hyun's veto to pass a bill appointing a special counsel to investigate corruption charges against his former aides. This decision by the opposition-controlled assembly followed Roh's veto just nine days prior, amidst an ongoing investigation by prosecutors into the alleged irregularities.The year 2013 marked the formal kickoff of the United Nations' Green Climate Fund secretariat in Songdo, South Korea, with the mission of raising funds from industrialized nations to assist developing countries in combating climate change. In 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern agreed to enhance cooperation between their countries in areas such as trade and Antarctic research.
- September 13, 2026
