World History Timeline

Countries / East Asia

History of North Korea

10 notable historical events in North Korea, in chronological order.

War · 3Politics · 7Dynasty · 2Treaty · 1Revolution · 1Technology · 1Culture · 1

7th century

  1. 668★★★★★

    Silla unifies the Korean Peninsula

    Allied with Tang China, Silla defeats Baekje and Goguryeo, unifying most of the Korean Peninsula for the first time.

    WarPolitics· South Korea, North Korea

10th century

  1. 918★★★★★

    Wang Geon founds Goryeo

    Wang Geon (King Taejo) founds the Goryeo dynasty, from which the name 'Korea' derives.

    DynastyPolitics· South Korea, North Korea

14th century

  1. 1392★★★★★

    Yi Seong-gye founds Joseon

    General Yi Seong-gye overthrows Goryeo and founds the Joseon dynasty, which lasts more than five centuries.

    DynastyPolitics· South Korea, North Korea

15th century

  1. 1443 – 1446★★★★★

    King Sejong creates Hangul

    King Sejong the Great creates the Hangul alphabet in 1443 and promulgates it in the Hunminjeongeum in 1446.

    Culture· South Korea, North Korea

20th century

  1. August 29, 1910★★★★★

    Japan annexes Korea

    The Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty takes effect, making Korea a Japanese colony until 1945.

    PoliticsTreaty· South Korea, North Korea, Japan
  2. March 1, 1919★★★★★

    March 1st Movement

    Koreans proclaim independence and stage nationwide peaceful protests against Japanese rule; the movement is suppressed.

    RevolutionPolitics· South Korea, North Korea
  4. June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953★★★★★

    Korean War

    North Korean forces cross the 38th parallel; the war, drawing in US-led UN forces and China, ends in an armistice in 1953.

    War· South Korea, North Korea, China, United States
  5. June 13, 2000 – June 15, 2000★★★★★

    First inter-Korean summit

    South Korean President Kim Dae-jung meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.

    Politics· South Korea, North Korea

21st century

  1. October 9, 2006★★★★★

    North Korea's first nuclear test

    North Korea conducts its first underground nuclear test, drawing UN Security Council condemnation and sanctions.

    TechnologyWar· North Korea
History of North Korea · World History Timeline