# NIS 41B, South Korea, Country Profile/Chronology

​Chronology (u/ou)
    Korea is formally annexed by Japan, ending 500-year rule of Yi dynasty.
    China, the United Kingdom, and the United States assert in Cairo that "in one due course Korea shall become free and independent."
    U.S.S.R. enters war against Japan. Allies order Japanese in Korea to surrender to Soviet forces north of 38th parallel and to U.S. forces south of it.
    The United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and the United States agree at Moscow on "reestablishment of Korea as an independent state" following a period of trusteeship by the United States, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and China; China subsequently concurs.
    U.S.-Soviet Joint Commission is established to assist in forming a provisional Korean government; discussions lead to deadlock on major problems.
    U.N.-supervised elections are held in South Korea but rejected by Communists in North Korea.
    Republic of Korea is established in the south, with Syngman Rhee (Yi Sung-man) as first President.
    Democratic People's Republic of Korea is established in the north, with Kim Il-song as Premier.
    U.N. General Assembly declares the Republic of Korea the legitimate government in South Korea.
    Soviet Troops are evacuated from North Korea.
    All U.S. troops are withdrawn from South Korea except for a small military training mission.
    North Korean forces invade South Korea.
    U.N. forces cross 38th parallel in pursuit of North Korean forces; Chinese Communist forces intervene.
    Armistice agreement between U.N. Command and North Korean-Chinese Communist side signed at P'anmunjom.
    United States-Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is signed.
    "Geneva principles," as a basis for settlement of overall Korean question, formulated at Geneva Conference of Korea.
    Rhee reelected President for third term, but opposition leader Chang Myon (John M. Chang) defeats Rhee's running mate for vice presidency.
    President Rhee and Liberal Party gain sweeping victory by rigging elections.
    Student demonstrations in Seoul against election rigging lead to violence and declaration of martial law; Rhee resigns and Foreign MInister Ho Chong becomes acting president.
    National Assembly passes constitutional amendment adopting parliamentary form of government.
    Yun Po-son becomes President and Chang Myon becomes Prime Minister of Second Republic, following Democratic Party victory in general elections.
    Military junta led by Maj. Gen. Pak Chong-hui and Col. Kim Chong-p'il seizes government in bloodless coup.
    Major constitutional changes ratified in national referendum.
    General Pak wins narrow victory over former President Yun Po-son in presidential elections.
    General Pak inaugurated as President of Third Republic.
    National Assembly votes to send noncombat troops to South Vietnam.
    National Assembly approves dispatch of first combat troops to South Vietnam.
    South Korea-Japan normalization accords ratified and instruments of ratification exchanged.
    National Assembly approves dispatch of additional combat troops to South Vietnam.
    Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement enters into force.
    Pak Chong-hui is reelected for a second term as President.
    31-man North Korean commando squad tries to seize Blue House (presidential mansion) in Seoul.
    Constitutional change to permit presidential third term ratified in national referendum.
    Pak Chong-hui wins third term in close election by defeating Kim Tae-chung of the New Democratic Party.
    Seoul proposes talks between North and South Korean Red Cross societies for purpose of reuniting families separated by the Korean war.
    Informal talks between Red Cross societies start.
    President Pak declares state of national emergency to tighten controls on the population in conjunction with the North-South talks.
    Formal Red Cross talks between North and South Korea begin.
    President Pak declares martial law and abrogates constitution preparatory to making major government changes.
    Constitution rewritten to give the President sweeping new powers.
    Pak Chong-hui elected to extended 6-year term.
Withdrawal of South Korean forces from South Vietnam completed.