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The Rebels
The final wave of Uibyeong rebels is defeated by Japanese forces -
Government
The establishment of The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai -
March 1st movement
More than a million Koreans take to the streets in the March First Movement, demanding independence. The demonstrations force the Japanese colonial administrators in Seoul to rethink their colonial policy, from one of brutal coercion to a more conciliatory stance known as the Cultural Policy. -
Battle of Cheongsanri
Battle of Cheongsanri, Korean independence Army, led by Kim Jwa-jin, victory -
Assassination failure
Korean independence activist Lee Bong Chang fails in his attempt to assassinate Emperor Hirohito in Tokyo -
Japanese occupation ends
After World War II, Japanese occupation of Korea ends with Soviet troops occupying the north, and US troops the south. -
Japan empire surrender
The Empire of Japan surrenders to the Allies. According to the terms of Potsdam Declaration, Korea becomes independent. -
Inaugeration
North Korea's Communist Party, called the Korean Workers' Party, inaugurated. Soviet-backed leadership installed, including Red Army-trained Kim Il-sung. -
New leader
Democratic People's Republic of Korea proclaimed, with Kim Il-sung installed as leader. Soviet troops withdraw. -
Seperation
South declares independence, sparking North Korean invasion and the Korean War. -
Ending of Korean War
Armistice ends Korean War. -
Capturing of naval ship
North Korea captures USS Pueblo, a US naval intelligence ship. -
Reunification
North and South Korea issue joint statement on peaceful reunification. -
Kim Jong-il
Kim Il-sung designates eldest son, Kim Jong-il as his successor. -
Nuclear Treaty
North Korea joins the international Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, barring the country from producing nuclear weapons. -
Nuclear Recator
Research nuclear reactor in Yongbyon becomes operational. -
United Nations
North and South Korea join the United Nations. -
Nuclear Treaty cont.
International Atomic Energy Agency accuses North Korea of violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and demands inspectors be given access to nuclear waste storage sites. North Korea threatens to quit Treaty. -
Death
Death of Kim Il-sung. Kim Jong-il succeeds his father as leader. -
Famine
Severe famine follows widespread floods; 3 million North Koreans reportedly die from starvation. -
Armistice cont.
North Korea announces it will no longer abide by the armistice that ended the Korean War, and sends thousands of troops into the demilitarized zone. -
North Korean submarine
South Korea captures North Korean submarine in its waters. Crew found dead inside. -
inter-korean sumit
Landmark inter-Korean summit takes place in Pyongyang between Kim Jong-il and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, paving the way for the reopening of border liaison offices and family reunions. The South also grants amnesty to over 3,500 North Korean prisoners. -
Gun Battle in Yellow Sea
North and South Korean naval vessels wage a gun battle in the Yellow Sea. Some 30 North Korean and four South Korean sailors are killed. -
Reactivation of nuclear
North Korea announces it is reactivating nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and expels UN inspectors. -
Death part 2
Death of Kim Jong-il. Kim Jong-un presides at funeral and takes over key posts by April. -
Execution
Kim Jong-un's uncle, Chang Song-thaek, is found guilty of attempting to overthrow the state and is summarily executed - in a purge seen as the biggest shake-up since the death of Kim Jong-il in 2011. -
Nuclear Missile
North Korea carries out its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test, saying it has mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile.