History of North Korea in Timeline

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), occupies the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula, bordering China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south via the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Pyongyang serves as its capital and largest city. Both North and South Korea claim to be the legitimate government of the entire Korean Peninsula and its islands. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is defined by the Sea of Japan.

1910: Start of Japanese Rule

In 1910, Japan enforced a cultural assimilation policy in Korea, marking the beginning of a period where Koreans were forced to learn and speak Japanese, adopt Japanese names, and practice Shinto religion.

1910: Annexation into the Empire of Japan

In 1910, the Korean Empire was annexed into the Empire of Japan, marking the end of Korean sovereignty for several decades.

1910: Annexation by Japan

In 1910, the Korean Empire, proclaimed in 1897 by King Gojong, was annexed by the Empire of Japan.

October 1945: Establishment of Soviet Civil Administration

In October 1945, Soviet general Terenty Shtykov recommended the establishment of the Soviet Civil Administration in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.

1945: Division of Korea

After the peninsula was divided in 1945, two distinct cultures formed out of the common Korean heritage. North Koreans have little exposure to foreign influence.

1945: End of Japanese Rule

In 1945, the Japanese rule in Korea ended, after which the peninsula was divided and two distinct cultures formed out of the common Korean heritage.

February 1946: Support for Kim Il Sung

In February 1946, Soviet general Terenty Shtykov supported Kim Il Sung as chairman of the Provisional People's Committee of North Korea.

September 1946: South Korean Citizens' Uprising

In September 1946, citizens in South Korea rose up against the Allied Military Government.

April 1948: Jeju Island Uprising

In April 1948, an uprising by the Jeju islanders in South Korea was violently suppressed.

May 1948: South Korea Declares Statehood

In May 1948, South Korea declared its statehood, establishing itself as a separate nation.

September 1948: Establishment of North Korea

On 9 September 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established in the North, with Kim Il Sung as premier and Terenty Shtykov as the Soviet ambassador.

1948: Adoption of Official Name

In 1948, North Korea officially adopted the name Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk).

1948: Soviet Forces Withdraw

In 1948, Soviet forces withdrew from North Korea as the new government was being established.

1948: Formation of Separate Governments

In 1948, separate governments were formed in Korea: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, aligned with the Soviet Union, and the Republic of Korea in the south, aligned with the West.

1949: Withdrawal of American Forces

In 1949, most American forces withdrew from South Korea, creating a power dynamic shift in the peninsula.

June 1950: North Korea Invades South Korea

On 25 June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, quickly overrunning most of the country and prompting intervention by the United Nations Command.

1950: North Korean Invasion of South Korea

In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, initiating the Korean War, a conflict that would last for three years and involve international forces.

1950: Songbun Status Definition

In 1950, the highest status in the Songbun system was accorded to individuals descended from those who participated with Kim Il Sung in the resistance against Japanese occupation and to factory workers, laborers, or peasants.

July 1953: Korean Armistice Agreement Signed

On 27 July 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the fighting and approximately restoring the original boundaries between North and South Korea, though no peace treaty was signed.

1953: Korean Armistice Agreement

In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, leading to a ceasefire and the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ), though a formal peace treaty was never established.

December 1955: Juche Pronouncement

In December 1955, Juche was pronounced in a speech called On Eliminating Dogmatism and Formalism and Establishing Juche in Ideological Work in order to emphasize a Korea-centered revolution.

1956: August Faction Incident

During the 1956 August Faction Incident, Kim Il Sung successfully resisted efforts by the Soviet Union and China to depose him, asserting his control over North Korea.

1957: Industrial Production Reaches Pre-War Levels

By 1957, industrial production in North Korea had returned to pre-war levels, signaling a recovery and focus on industrial development.

October 1958: Withdrawal of Chinese Troops

In October 1958, the final withdrawal of Chinese troops from North Korea marked a significant point in North Korea's attainment of effective independence, according to most scholars.

1958: Kim Il Sung on Songbun Class Structure

In 1958, Kim Il Sung stated that the "core class" constituted 25% of the North Korean population, the "wavering class" 55%, and the "hostile class" 20%.

1959: Establishment of Mansudae Art Studio

In 1959, Mansudae Art Studio was established and has since dominated most aspects of art in North Korea.

1959: Improved Relations with Japan

In 1959, relations between North Korea and Japan improved somewhat, and North Korea began allowing the repatriation of Japanese citizens.

1960: Systematic Inefficiency

Around 1960, systematic inefficiency began to arise in North Korea's economy as it shifted from extensive to intensive development, impeded by a shortage of skilled labor, energy, arable land, and transportation.

1961: North Korea's Population

North Korea's population was 10.9 million in 1961.

1964: First Appearance in the Olympics

North Korea's first appearance in the Olympics came in 1964.

1966: North Korea Defeats Italy in World Cup

In 1966, the North Korean national football team achieved a surprising 1–0 victory over Italy in the FIFA World Cup.

1968: Assassination Attempts on South Korean Leaders

In 1968, North Korea made failed assassination attempts on South Korean leaders, escalating tensions between the two nations.

1971: Secret High-Level Contacts Begin

In 1971, secret, high-level contacts began between North and South Korea, marking the initial steps toward dialogue after nearly two decades of separation.

1971: Premiere of Sea of Blood

In 1971, the opera Sea of Blood premiered. It is the most widely performed of the Five Great Revolutionary Operas.

1972: Juche Introduced into the Constitution

In 1972, Juche was officially introduced into the constitution of North Korea.

1972: July 4 South-North Joint Statement

In 1972, the July 4 South-North Joint Statement was issued, establishing principles for working toward peaceful reunification.

1972: Agreement on Peaceful Reunification

In 1972, the two Koreas agreed in principle to achieve reunification through peaceful means and without foreign interference.

1972: Summer Olympics Debut

The 1972 Olympics marked North Korea's Summer Games debut, where they won five medals, including one gold.

1973: South Korea Seeks Separate International Memberships

In 1973, South Korea declared its preference for separate memberships in international organizations, leading to the failure of reunification talks.

1973: Establishment of the Ministry of State Security

In 1973, the Ministry of State Security was separated from the Ministry of Public Security to conduct domestic and foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, and manage the political prison system.

1974: Assassination Attempts on South Korean Leaders

In 1974, North Korea made failed assassination attempts on South Korean leaders, escalating tensions between the two nations.

1974: Abolishment of Taxes

In 1974, the payment of taxes was officially abolished in North Korea.

1976: Axe Murder Incident at Panmunjom

In 1976, tensions flared over the axe murder incident at Panmunjom, a violent event within the DMZ.

1976: GDP per Capita Equal to South Korea

Until 1976, North Korean GDP per capita was equal to that of its southern neighbor, reflecting a period of comparable economic development.

1978: Compulsory Study of Russian and English

In 1978, the study of Russian and English was made compulsory in upper middle schools.

1979: Bradley Martin's Visit to North Korea

In 1979, journalist Bradley Martin visited North Korea and observed that nearly all music, art, and sculpture glorified Kim Il Sung, with his personality cult being extended to Kim Jong Il.

October 1980: Kim Il Sung Proposes a Federation

On October 10, 1980, Kim Il Sung proposed a federation between North and South Korea named the Democratic Federal Republic of Korea.

1983: Rangoon Bombing

In 1983, North Korea was implicated in the Rangoon bombing, an assassination attempt targeting South Korean leaders, further straining relations.

1987: Economic Stagnation Begins

By 1987, North Korea's economy had begun to stagnate, marking the start of a long period of economic decline.

1987: Bombing of South Korean Airliner

North Korea was allegedly involved in the 1987 bombing of a South Korean airliner.

1990: External Trade Peak

The highest amount of external trade was recorded since 1990.

December 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

On 26 December 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved, which led to the end of Soviet aid and support to North Korea.

1991: UN Membership

In 1991, North Korea became a member of the United Nations, marking its formal entry into the international community.

1991: North Korea Joins the United Nations

In 1991, North Korea joined the United Nations together with South Korea.

1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

In 1991, the dissolution of the Soviet Union led to the halt of Soviet aid and a near-complete collapse of the North Korean economy.

1992: Kim Jong Il Takes Over State Tasks

In 1992, as Kim Il Sung's health deteriorated, Kim Jong Il began taking over various state tasks, preparing for his eventual succession.

1992: Omission of Marxism-Leninism from Constitution

In 1992, references to Marxism-Leninism were omitted from the North Korean constitution, replaced by Juche.

December 1993: Unsuccessful Seven-Year Plan

In December 1993, North Korea declared its last seven-year plan unsuccessful and stopped announcing such plans thereafter, indicating economic challenges.

1994: North Korean Famine

From 1994, North Korea experienced a severe famine, leading to widespread malnutrition and significant population suffering.

1994: Death of Kim Il Sung

In 1994, Kim Il Sung died of a heart attack, leading to a period of national mourning and the eventual succession of Kim Jong Il.

1994: Kim Il Sung's Death

In 1994, Kim Il Sung, the founder and leader of North Korea, died. He is regarded as the country's "eternal President".

1994: Kim Jong Il Succession

In 1994, Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, as the leader of North Korea.

1994: Agreed Framework and Sunshine Policy

In 1994, North Korea promised to halt its nuclear weapons development under the Agreed Framework, negotiated with U.S. president Bill Clinton, and South Korea engaged with the North through its Sunshine Policy.

1995: Start of North Korean Famine

The North Korean famine began in 1995, lasted for three years, and resulted in the deaths of between 240,000 and 420,000 North Koreans.

1996: Acceptance of UN Food Aid

In 1996, facing severe famine conditions, the North Korean government accepted UN food aid to help alleviate the crisis.

1997: International Food Aid Initiated

In 1997, international donors led by the United States initiated shipments of food through the World Food Program to combat the famine.

1997: Titanic shown to university students

In 1997, the film Titanic was frequently shown to university students in North Korea as an example of Western culture.

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1998: End of Famine

By 1998, North Korea's famine started to subside, however the population continued to suffer from malnutrition.

1998: Implementation of the Sunshine Policy

In 1998, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung instituted the Sunshine Policy, marking a turning point in inter-Korean relations by promoting engagement with North Korea and leading to normalized relations with several European Union states and joint economic projects.

1998: Structural Reforms

In 1998, the North Korean government began structural reforms that formally legalized private ownership of assets and decentralized control over production in an attempt to recover from economic collapse.

1998: Malnutrition Rate Declines

The number of malnourished children declined from 60% in 1998.

2000: Improvement in situation owing to international food assistance

By 2000, the economic situation in North Korea improved owing to a massive international food assistance effort, though the economy continued to suffer from food shortages and other issues.

2000: Population Estimate by Demographic Experts

Demographic experts in the 20th century estimated that the population would grow to 25.5 million by 2000, but this increase never occurred due to the North Korean famine.

2000: Inter-Korean Summit

Following the 2000 inter-Korean summit, there was a decline in direct ideological messages in pop songs, but themes like comradeship, nostalgia, and the construction of a powerful country remained.

2000: Inter-Korean Summit and June 15th North-South Joint Declaration

In 2000, the inter-Korean summit took place, where South Korean President Kim Dae-jung visited Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang. As a result, both North and South Korea signed the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration, pledging to pursue peaceful reunification.

2001: Change in US Policy

In 2001, George W. Bush became U.S. President, leading to a rejection of South Korea's Sunshine Policy and the Agreed Framework.

2002: Cellular Coverage Introduction

Cellular coverage became available in 2002 with a 3G network operated by Koryolink, a joint venture with Orascom Telecom Holding, starting with 3,000 subscribers.

2002: Axis of Evil

In 2002, President George W. Bush included North Korea in his "axis of evil" during his State of the Union Address, escalating tensions.

2002: Second Round of Reforms

In 2002, a second round of reforms in North Korea led to an expansion of market activities, partial monetization, flexible prices and salaries, and the introduction of incentives and accountability techniques.

2002: Decline in Population Growth Rate

The famine had a significant impact on the population growth rate, which declined to 0.9% annually in 2002.

2003: Access to Water and Sanitation

According to a 2003 report by the United States Department of State, almost 100% of the population had access to water and sanitation.

2003: United Nations Environmental Programme Report

In 2003, a United Nations Environmental Programme report indicated that forest covers over 70 percent of North Korea, mostly on steep slopes.

July 2004: Goguryeo Tombs Registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site

In July 2004, the Complex of Koguryo Tombs was registered as the first World Heritage property of North Korea by UNESCO.

2004: South Korean Assessment of North Korea's Chemical Weapons Stockpile

According to a 2004 South Korean assessment, North Korea possesses a stockpile of chemical weapons, estimated to amount to between 2,500 and 5,000 tons, including nerve, blister, blood, and vomiting agents, and biological weapons.

2004: US State Department on North Korea's Military Spending

The U.S. State Department estimated that North Korea's military spending averaged 23% of its GDP from 2004 to 2014, the highest level in the world.

2005: Foreign Trade Surpasses Pre-Crisis Levels

In 2005, North Korea's foreign trade surpassed pre-crisis levels and continued to expand.

July 2006: UN Security Council Resolution 1695

In July 2006, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 1695 due to its nuclear and missile tests.

October 2006: UN Security Council Resolution 1718

In October 2006, North Korea faced further sanctions under United Nations Security Council resolution 1718 as a result of its nuclear and missile tests.

October 2006: First Nuclear Weapons Test

On 9 October 2006, North Korea announced it had conducted its first nuclear weapons test, escalating international concerns.

2006: Strained Relations with China

Beginning in 2006, relations with China were strained due to concerns about North Korea's nuclear program.

2006: Malnutrition Rate

The number of malnourished children was 37% in 2006.

October 2007: Signing of Eight-Point Peace Agreement

On October 4, 2007, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Jong Il signed an eight-point peace agreement, aiming to foster peace between the two nations.

2007: Decline in Lower Respiratory Infection

Since 2007, lower respiratory infection, one of the leading causes of death in North Korea, declined by six percent.

October 2008: Removal from U.S. Terrorism List

On October 11, 2008, the United States removed North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after Pyongyang agreed to cooperate on nuclear issues.

2008: Child Mortality Rate

In 2008, the child mortality rate in North Korea was estimated to be 45 per 1,000 live births.

2008: Literacy Census

The 2008 census listed the entire population as literate.

June 2009: UN Security Council Resolution 1874

In June 2009, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 1874 following its nuclear and missile tests.

2009: North Korea Ends Agreements with South and Increases Military Alert

In 2009, North Korea ended all previous agreements with South Korea in response to a more hard-line approach from South Korea. North Korea also deployed additional ballistic missiles and put its military on full combat alert after threats from South Korea, Japan, and the United States to intercept a Unha-2 space launch vehicle.

2009: North Korea Joins the Outer Space Treaty

In 2009, North Korea joined the Outer Space Treaty and stated its intentions to undertake crewed and Moon missions.

2009: Constitution Elevates Songun Policy

In 2009, the North Korean constitution dropped references to communism and elevated the Songun military first policy, while reaffirming Kim Jong Il's position.

2009: Government Attempt to Stem Free Market

In 2009, the government attempted to stem the expanding free market by banning jangmadang and the use of foreign currency, heavily devaluing the won and restricting the convertibility of savings in the old currency, but reversed these policies after protests.

2010: Report on Inter-Korean Scientific Cooperation

A 2010 report by the South Korean Science and Technology Policy Institute identified polymer chemistry, single carbon materials, nanoscience, mathematics, software, nuclear technology, and rocketry as potential areas of inter-Korean scientific cooperation.

2010: Military Expenditure

According to North Korean state media, military expenditure amounted to 15.8 percent of the state budget in 2010.

2010: Revised Population Estimate

Demographic experts had estimated that the population would grow to 28 million by 2010, but this increase never occurred due to the North Korean famine.

2010: Sea of Blood Tour in China

In 2010, Sea of Blood went on tour in China, which was a major success.

2010: Increased Tensions with South Korea and the US

In 2010, tensions between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States increased due to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.

2010: North Korea in FIFA World Cup

In 2010, the North Korean national football team, Chollima, competed in the FIFA World Cup, losing all three matches.

December 2011: Death of Kim Jong Il

On 17 December 2011, Kim Jong Il died from a heart attack and his youngest son Kim Jong Un was announced as his successor.

2011: Kim Jong Un Succession

In 2011, Kim Jong Un succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, as the leader of North Korea.

2011: Kim Jong Il Announced as "Eternal General Secretary"

In 2011, after his death, Kim Jong Il, who succeeded Kim Il Sung, was announced as "Eternal General Secretary" and "Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission".

December 2012: Launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2

In December 2012, North Korea became the tenth spacefaring nation with the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2, which successfully reached orbit but was believed to be crippled and non-operational.

2012: Kim Un-guk Breaks World Record

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, weightlifter Kim Un-guk broke the world record in the Men's 62 kg category.

2012: Gross National Income Per Capita

In 2012, North Korea's gross national income per capita was $1,523, compared to $28,430 in South Korea.

2012: Associated Press Bureau in Pyongyang

In 2012, the Associated Press opened the first Western all-format, full-time bureau in Pyongyang.

January 2013: UN Security Council Resolution 2087

In January 2013, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 2087 as a consequence of its nuclear and missile tests.

April 2013: National Aerospace Technology Administration Management

In April 2013, the National Aerospace Technology Administration took over management of the national space program (formerly managed by the Korean Committee of Space Technology).

December 2013: Dennis Rodman visits North Korea

In December 2013, former American basketball professional Dennis Rodman visited North Korea to help train the national team.

2013: Cellular Subscribers Increase

By 2013, the number of cellular subscribers had increased to almost two million.

2013: Ten Fundamental Principles Edited

In 2013, Clause 2 of Article 10 of the newly edited Ten Fundamental Principles of the Workers' Party of Korea stated that the party and revolution must be carried "eternally" by the "Mount Paektu Bloodline".

2013: Overhaul of Special Economic Zones

In 2013, North Korea overhauled its special economic zone (SEZ) system, opening 14 new zones and reforming the Rason Special Economic Zone as a joint Chinese-North Korean project. Also in 2013, external trade reached a total of $7.3 billion, the highest amount since 1990.

2013: Cardiovascular Disease as Largest Cause of Death

In 2013, cardiovascular disease was reported as the largest cause of death in North Korea. The three major causes of death are stroke, COPD, and ischaemic heart disease.

2013: High-Speed Railway Construction Approved

In 2013, construction of a high-speed railway connecting Kaesong, Pyongyang, and Sinuiju with speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (120 mph) was approved.

2013: Malnutrition Rate Further Reduction

In 2013, the number of malnourished children declined to 28%. Domestic food production almost recovered to the recommended annual level of 5.37 million tons of cereal equivalent.

2013: Causes of Death

The structure of North Korea's causes of death (2013) is unlike that of other low-income countries. Instead, it is closer to worldwide averages, with non-communicable diseases.

2014: UN Inquiry into Human Rights Record

A 2014 UN inquiry into North Korea's human rights record found evidence of systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations, stating they have no parallel in the contemporary world.

2014: North Korea blamed for Sony Pictures hack

In 2014, North Korea was blamed for the Sony Pictures hack, allegedly carried out by a cyberwarfare unit.

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2014: Russia Writes Off North Korea's Debt

In 2014, Russia wrote off 90% of North Korea's debt, and the two countries agreed to conduct all transactions in rubles.

2014: Legal Regulations Adopted for Renewable Energy

In 2014, a set of legal regulations was adopted in North Korea, stressing the development of geothermal, wind, and solar energy, along with recycling and environmental conservation.

2014: Moranbong Band Popularity

In 2014, the all-girl Moranbong Band was described as the most popular group in North Korea.

2014: North Korea Dismisses Human Rights Accusations in UN Report

In a 2014 report to the UN, North Korea dismissed accusations of atrocities as wild rumors and responded with homophobic insults against the author of the human rights report.

2014: Establishment of Miraewon Network

The Miraewon network of electronic libraries was established in 2014 under the slogan of "constructing a powerful knowledge economy".

2014: US State Department on North Korea's Military Spending

The U.S. State Department estimated that North Korea's military spending averaged 23% of its GDP from 2004 to 2014, the highest level in the world.

2014: Population Growth Rate Update

The population growth rate in 2014 was 0.5%.

2015: Diplomatic Relations with 166 Countries

As of 2015, North Korea had diplomatic relations with 166 countries and embassies in 47 countries.

2015: Access to Improved Sanitation Facilities

In 2015, 80% of the population in North Korea had access to improved sanitation facilities.

2015: North Korea Cyberwarfare Unit

In 2015, it was reported that North Korea employs 6,000 computer security personnel in a sophisticated cyberwarfare unit operating out of China.

February 2016: Launch of Kwangmyongsong-4

On February 7, 2016, North Korea announced the successful launch of a new Earth observation satellite, Kwangmyongsong-4, into orbit.

September 2016: North Korean Internet DNS Data Leak

On September 19, 2016, a TLDR project noticed the North Korean Internet DNS data and top-level domain was left open which allowed global DNS zone transfers. A dump of the data discovered was shared on GitHub.

2016: World Bank Report on Deaths

In 2016, according to a World Bank report, approximately 9.5% of deaths in North Korea were attributed to communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal, and nutrition conditions.

2016: Non-communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases—such as cardiovascular disease and cancers—accounting for 84 percent of the total deaths in 2016.

May 2017: Election of Moon Jae-in

In May 2017, Moon Jae-in was elected president of South Korea, promising a return to the Sunshine Policy.

August 2017: China Dominates North Korea's External Trade

As of August 2017, China was North Korea's biggest trading partner outside inter-Korean trade, accounting for more than 84% of the total external trade ($5.3 billion), followed by India at 3.3% share ($205 million).

November 2017: Re-designation as State Sponsor of Terrorism

On November 20, 2017, North Korea was re-designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. under the Trump administration after continued nuclear tests.

December 2017: UN Security Council Resolution 2397

In December 2017, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 2397 following its nuclear and missile tests.

2017: 2017 Crisis

In 2017, North Korea experienced a crisis.

2017: Press Freedom Index Ranking

In 2017, North Korea ranked 180th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' annual Press Freedom Index.

2017: Panmunjom Declaration

In 2017, The Panmunjom Declaration was signed by North and South Korea.

2017: Strained Relations with Malaysia

In 2017, relations with Malaysia were strained by the assassination of Kim Jong-nam.

2017: Increased Tensions with the United States

In 2017, tensions between the United States and North Korea escalated due to heightened rhetoric and threats, including Donald Trump's "fire and fury" warning and North Korean missile test threats.

February 2018: Détente at the Winter Olympics

In February 2018, a détente developed at the Winter Olympics held in South Korea, signaling a potential thaw in relations.

June 2018: Trump-Kim Singapore Summit

On June 12, 2018, US President Trump met with Kim in Singapore, signing an agreement endorsing the 2017 Panmunjom Declaration to work towards denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

2018: Global Slavery Index Ranking

According to Walk Free's 2018 Global Slavery Index, North Korea is ranked highest in the world in terms of the percentage of population in modern slavery, with 10.4 percent enslaved.

2018: Détente and Summits

In 2018, tensions between North Korea and the United States decreased, leading to a détente and a series of summits between Kim Jong Un, President Moon Jae-in, and President Trump.

February 2019: Trump-Kim Hanoi Summit Fails

In February 2019, President Trump and Kim met in Hanoi but failed to reach an agreement.

June 2019: Xi Jinping Visits North Korea

In June 2019, relations between North Korea and China improved after Xi Jinping visited North Korea.

June 2019: Trump-Kim DMZ Meeting

On June 30, 2019, President Trump met with Kim along with South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the Korean DMZ.

2019: Life Expectancy

According to HDR 2020, North Korea had a life expectancy of 72.3 years in 2019.

2019: Choe Ryong-hae Appointed SPA Standing Committee Chairman

In 2019, Choe Ryong-hae became the Chairman of the SPA Standing Committee, making him the third-ranking official in North Korea.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index Ranking

In 2019, North Korea had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 8.02/10, ranking it 28th globally out of 172 countries.

January 2020: North Korea Closes Borders Due to COVID-19

On January 22, 2020, North Korea closed its borders to foreign tourists in response to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Report Publication

According to HDR 2020, North Korea had a life expectancy of 72.3 years in 2019.

2020: Religious Demographics Study

According to a 2020 study, 73% of the population in North Korea are irreligious (58% agnostic, 15% atheist), 13% practice Chondoism, 12% practice Korean shamanism, 1.5% are Buddhist, and less than 0.5% practice another religion such as Christianity, Islam, or Chinese folk religion.

January 2021: Kim Jong Un Elected as General Secretary

In January 2021, Kim Jong Un was formally elected as the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea during the 8th Congress, a title previously held by Kim Jong Il.

October 2021: Successful Test of Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

On 19 October 2021, North Korea successfully tested a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile.

2021: WPK Reasserts Commitment to Communism

In 2021, the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) reasserted its commitment to communism.

March 2022: ICBM Test Launch

In March 2022, North Korea conducted a successful ICBM test launch, marking the first such test since the 2017 crisis.

September 2022: Declaration as a Nuclear State

In September 2022, North Korea passed a law officially declaring itself a nuclear state.

September 2023: Estimates of North Korea's Nuclear Arsenal

As of September 2023, estimates of North Korea's nuclear arsenal ranged between 40 and 116 assembled nuclear warheads, with delivery capabilities provided by the Rocket Force, which has around 1,000 ballistic missiles.

December 30, 2023: Kim Jong-un Declares South Korea a "Colonial Vassal State"

On December 30, 2023, Kim Jong-un declared South Korea, under Yoon Suk Yeol, a "colonial vassal state", a significant shift from mutual claims over the Korean Peninsula.

January 15, 2024: Call for Constitutional Amendment

On January 15, 2024, Kim Jong-un called for a constitutional amendment to redefine the boundary with South Korea as the 'Southern National Borderline,' escalating rhetoric.

January 2024: North Korea Announces End to Reunification Efforts

In January 2024, North Korea officially announced it would no longer seek reunification with South Korea, with Kim Jong Un calling for the potential "completely occupying, subjugating and reclaiming" of South Korea if war breaks out. The constitution was planned to change such that South Korea would be considered the "primary foe and invariable principal enemy". Government agencies promoting reunification were closed.

October 2024: Increased Military Recruitment and Border Tensions

In October 2024, North Korea claimed that 1.4 million people joined its military following accusations of a South Korean drone intrusion, leading to heightened tensions and psychological warfare along the border.