Seoul: Sunjong, the final emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, died at the age of 53. The second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong, Sunjong ascended to the throne in 1907 after his father was forced to abdicate by Japanese imperialists. Following the official annexation of the Korean Peninsula by Japan in 1910, Sunjong lived a life of confinement at Changdeok Palace in central Seoul, where he ultimately passed away.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this event marked a significant moment in Korean history, closing a chapter on the Joseon Dynasty that had lasted from 1392 to 1910. In another key historical event for South Korea, Seoul National University awarded the country's first doctoral degrees to six graduates in 1952, marking a milestone in the nation's academic development.
In 1960, widespread nationwide protests led to the resignation of President Rhee Syng-man, who stepped down from power on the heels of civil unrest that began on April 19 of that year. The protests were a direct response to his authoritarian rule, demonstrating the power of collective civilian action in shaping the political landscape of South Korea.
The year 1982 was marred by a tragic incident involving Wu Beom-gon, a police officer in Uiryeong, South Gyeongsang Province. Wu went on a drunken shooting spree, resulting in the deaths of around 50 residents and injuring 30 others. He ultimately took his own life by detonating two hand grenades as police closed in on him.
In a notable international development in 1996, North Korea allowed the U.S. broadcaster Cable News Network to establish a branch in Pyongyang. This move was seen as a step towards increasing the flow of information from the isolated country.
In 2014, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama made a joint visit to the command center for joint military operations, highlighting the strong alliance between the two countries in their efforts to deter North Korean aggression.
Further fostering international relations, tax officials from South Korea and India reached an agreement in 2017 to prevent double taxation between the two nations, aiming to enhance economic cooperation.
In a landmark achievement for the South Korean film industry, Youn Yuh-jung won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2021 for her role in the film "Minari." This accolade made her the first South Korean actress to win an Oscar, reflecting the global recognition of South Korean talent in the arts.