Seoul: The historical timeline of South Korea is marked by pivotal events shaping the nation’s political, economic, and social landscape.

According to Yonhap News Agency, one significant event occurred in 1948 when soldiers in Yeosu, a port city 455 kilometers south of Seoul, rebelled against the newly established South Korean government. These soldiers, advocating for Korean reunification, refused orders to quell protests on Jeju Island, which were led by residents opposing the government. The rebellion spread to Suncheon, with the soldiers controlling both cities for several days until the government declared martial law and, with assistance from the U.S. Army, regained control.

In 1990, South Korea and China took a crucial step towards diplomatic relations by agreeing to establish a trade office, a move that led to formal diplomatic ties in 1992. This development caused Taiwan to withdraw its mission from South Korea. By 1998, the South Korean government announced plans to lift its 53-year ban on Japanese popular culture, a relic of Japan’s colonial rule over Korea.

The Asia-Europe Meeting of 2000 in Seoul saw leaders from 26 countries address various geopolitical issues, culminating in the Seoul Declaration for Peace on the Korean Peninsula. This declaration underscored a commitment to peace and dialogue with North Korea. In 2001, during a summit in Shanghai, President Kim Dae-jung and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed to settle historical disputes and other bilateral issues, including the contentious matter of Japan’s history textbooks.

Further addressing regional security, in 2003, President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush issued a joint statement calling for renewed multilateral talks on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Bangkok. In a related context, 2018 saw South Korea and the United States suspend the Vigilant Ace combined air exercise, supporting diplomatic efforts for North Korea’s denuclearization.

In terms of economic developments, 2017 marked a significant decision when a public debate committee recommended resuming the construction of the Shin Kori-5 and Shin Kori-6 nuclear power reactors. This followed President Moon Jae-in’s pause on their construction due to his nuclear phase-out policy. Lastly, in 2020, South Korea’s SK hynix announced its acquisition of the NAND business from U.S. semiconductor giant Intel for US$9 billion, reflecting the nation’s growing influence in the global technology market.