History of North Korea in Timeline
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), occupies the northern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It shares borders with 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. North Korea claims to be the legitimate government of the entire Korean Peninsula. Its western border is the Yellow Sea, and its eastern border is the Sea of Japan.
1910: Start of Japanese Rule
In 1910, Japanese rule began in Korea, leading to the enforcement of a cultural assimilation policy.
October 1945: Establishment of Soviet Civil Administration
In October 1945, the Soviet Civil Administration was established in North Korea, with Soviet general Terenty Shtykov recommending its creation.
1945: Division of the Korean Peninsula
After the Korean peninsula was divided in 1945, two distinct cultures formed out of the common Korean heritage.
1945: Division of Korea
In 1945, after Japan's surrender in World War II, Korea was divided into two zones along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the north and the United States occupying the south.
February 1946: Kim Il Sung Appointed Chairman
In February 1946, Kim Il Sung was supported as chairman of the Provisional People's Committee of North Korea.
September 1946: Uprising Against Allied Military Government
In September 1946, South Korean citizens rose up against the Allied Military Government.
April 1948: Jeju Island Uprising
In April 1948, an uprising of the Jeju islanders was violently suppressed.
May 1948: South Korea Declares Statehood
In May 1948, South Korea declared its statehood, marking a step towards the formal division of Korea.
September 1948: Establishment of Democratic People's Republic of Korea
In September 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established in the North, with Kim Il Sung as premier.
1948: Adoption of Official Name
In 1948, North Korea adopted 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' as its official name.
1948: Soviet Forces Withdraw
In 1948, Soviet forces withdrew from North Korea, signifying a change in the political landscape.
1948: Formation of Separate Governments
In 1948, separate governments were established in Korea: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north and the Republic of Korea in the south, solidifying the division of the peninsula.
1949: US Forces Withdraw
In 1949, most American forces withdrew from South Korea, setting the stage for future conflict.
June 1950: North Korea Invades South Korea
In June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, triggering the Korean War and international intervention.
1950: North Korean Invasion of South Korea
In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, initiating the Korean War, a conflict that would have lasting impacts on the peninsula.
1950: Highest status assigned to individuals descended from key groups
The highest Songbun status is accorded to individuals descended from those who participated with Kim Il Sung in the resistance against Japanese occupation before and during World War II and to those who were factory workers, laborers, or peasants in 1950.
July 1953: Korean Armistice Agreement
In July 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, halting the Korean War but leaving the peninsula divided.
1953: Korean Armistice Agreement
In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement established a ceasefire and a demilitarized zone (DMZ), halting the Korean War, but a formal peace treaty was never signed.
December 1955: Pronouncement of Juche Ideology
In December 1955, Kim Il Sung pronounced the Juche ideology in a speech called "On Eliminating Dogmatism and Formalism and Establishing Juche in Ideological Work" to emphasize a Korea-centered revolution.
1956: August Faction Incident
During the 1956 August Faction Incident, Kim Il Sung resisted efforts by the Soviet Union and China to depose him.
1957: Industrial Production Returns to Pre-War Levels
In 1957, Industrial production in North Korea returned to pre-war levels.
October 1958: Withdrawal of Chinese Troops
In October 1958, Chinese troops withdrew from North Korea, marking a date when North Korea became effectively independent.
1958: Kim Il Sung defines Songbun Classes
According to Kim Il Sung, speaking in 1958, the loyal "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. Since its establishment, it has dominated most aspects of art in North Korea. It is likely the biggest art factory in the world, employing around 1,000 artists.
1960: Systematic inefficiency began to arise.
Systematic inefficiency began to arise around 1960, when the economy shifted from the extensive to the intensive development stage.
1961: North Korea's Population in 1961
In 1961, North Korea's population was 10.9 million.
1964: First Olympic Appearance
In 1964, North Korea made its first appearance in the Olympics.
1968: Assassination Attempts on South Korean Leaders
In 1968, North Korea failed in assassination attempts on South Korean leaders.
1971: Premiere of Sea of Blood
In 1971, Sea of Blood, one of the "Five Great Revolutionary Operas", premiered. Since its premiere, it has been played over 1,500 times, becoming the most widely performed of the five operas.
1971: Secret High-Level Contacts Begin
In 1971, secret, high-level contacts began between North and South Korea.
1972: Summer Olympics Debut
In 1972, North Korea made its summer games debut at the Olympics and won five medals, including one gold.
1972: Juche Introduced into the Constitution
In 1972, the Juche ideology was officially introduced into the constitution of North Korea, solidifying its place in the country's governance.
1972: July 4 South-North Joint Statement
In 1972, the July 4 South-North Joint Statement established principles of working toward peaceful reunification.
1972: Two Koreas Agree on Peaceful Reunification
In 1972, the two Koreas agreed in principle to achieve reunification through peaceful means and without foreign interference, setting a foundation for future dialogues.
1973: South Korea Declares Preference for Separate Memberships
In 1973, South Korea declared its preference that the two Koreas should seek separate memberships in international organizations, leading to the failure of talks.
1973: Separation of the Ministry of State Security from the Ministry of Public 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 failed in assassination attempts on South Korean leaders.
1974: Payment of taxes officially abolished
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.
1976: GDP per Capita Equality
Until 1976, North Korean GDP per capita was equal to that of South Korea.
1978: Compulsory Study of Russian and English
In 1978, the study of Russian and English was made compulsory in upper middle schools in North Korea.
1979: Bradley Martin Visits North Korea
In 1979, journalist Bradley Martin visited North Korea and observed that nearly all music, art, and sculpture glorified Kim Il Sung, and his personality cult was then being extended to his son, Kim Jong Il.
October 1980: Kim Il Sung Proposes Democratic Federal Republic of Korea
On 10 October 1980, the then North Korean leader Kim Il Sung proposed a federation between North and South Korea named the Democratic Federal Republic of Korea in which the respective political systems would initially remain.
1983: Rangoon Bombing
In 1983, the Rangoon bombing occurred as one of the failed assassination attempts on South Korean leaders.
1987: Economic Stagnation
By 1987, the North Korean economy had begun to stagnate, marking the beginning of a long decline.
1987: Bombing of a South Korean airliner
North Korea was previously designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. because of its alleged involvement in the 1987 bombing of a South Korean airliner.
1990: Total external trade reached its highest amount since 1990
Overall, external trade in 2013 reached a total of $7.3 billion (the highest amount since 1990), while inter-Korean trade dropped to an eight-year low of $1.1 billion.
December 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
In December 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved, ending its aid and support to North Korea.
1991: UN Membership
In 1991, North Korea became a member of the United Nations, marking a step towards international engagement.
1991: North Korea Joins the United Nations
In 1991, North Korea joined the United Nations together with South Korea, marking a significant step in international relations.
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
In 1991, the dissolution of the Soviet Union led to a halt in Soviet aid to North Korea, resulting in a near collapse of the economy.
1992: Kim Jong Il Takes Over State Tasks
In 1992, Kim Jong Il began slowly taking over various state tasks as Kim Il Sung's health deteriorated.
1992: Omission of Marxism-Leninism from the Constitution
In 1992, references to Marxism-Leninism were omitted from the North Korean constitution, marking a shift towards Juche as the primary ideology.
December 1993: North Korea declares the last seven-year plan unsuccessful.
North Korea declared the last seven-year plan unsuccessful in December 1993 and thereafter stopped announcing plans.
1994: Famine in North Korea
From 1994, North Korea suffered a famine, causing widespread malnutrition among the population.
1994: Death of Kim Il Sung
In 1994, Kim Il Sung died of a heart attack, leading to Kim Jong Il's succession.
1994: Kim Il Sung's Death
In 1994, Kim Il Sung, the founder and leader of North Korea, died. He is now known as the country's "eternal President".
1994: Kim Jong Il succeeds Kim Il Sung
In 1994, Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, as the leader of North Korea, continuing the Kim family's leadership.
1994: Agreed Framework and Sunshine Policy
In 1994, North Korea promised to halt its development of nuclear weapons under the Agreed Framework, and South Korea began to engage with the North as part of its Sunshine Policy. Kim Jong Il also instituted Songun.
1995: Start of North Korean Famine
The North Korean famine began in 1995, lasting for three years and resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
1996: Government Accepts UN Food Aid
In 1996, facing widespread famine due to flooding, the North Korean government accepted UN food aid.
1997: International Food Aid Begins
In 1997, international donors led by the United States initiated shipments of food through the World Food Program to combat the famine in North Korea.
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.
1998: Malnutrition Rate in Children
In 1998, 60% of children in North Korea were malnourished.
1998: Famine Continues
In 1998, North Korea continued to suffer from famine, exacerbating the population's malnutrition.
1998: Sunshine Policy Instituted
In 1998, the Sunshine Policy, instituted by South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, marked a turning point in inter-Korean relations by encouraging engagement with the North.
1998: North Korea began structural reforms
In an attempt to recover from the collapse, the North Korean government began structural reforms in 1998 that formally legalized private ownership of assets and decentralized control over production.
2000: Economic situation improves due to international food assistance
By 2000, the economic situation improved in North Korea owing to a massive international food assistance effort, but the economy continues to suffer from food shortages, dilapidated infrastructure and a critically low energy supply.
2000: Population Prediction
Demographic experts in the 20th century estimated that the population would grow to 25.5 million by 2000.
2000: Inter-Korean Summit
Following the 2000 inter-Korean summit, relations with South Korea improved, leading to a decline in direct ideological messages in pop songs.
2001: Change in US Administration
In 2001, with George W. Bush becoming U.S. President, the international environment changed as his administration rejected South Korea's Sunshine Policy and the Agreed Framework.
2002: Second round of reforms led to an expansion of market activities
A second round of reforms in 2002 led to an expansion of market activities, partial monetization, flexible prices and salaries, and the introduction of incentives and accountability techniques.
2002: Cellular service available
Cellular coverage became available in 2002 with a 3G network operated by Koryolink, a joint venture with Orascom Telecom Holding, with 3,000 subscribers.
2002: Axis of Evil
In 2002, President Bush included North Korea in his 'axis of evil' in his State of the Union Address.
2002: Decline in Population Growth Rate
In 2002, the famine's impact led to a decline in the population growth rate to 0.9% annually in North Korea.
2003: Report on Water and Sanitation Access
According to a 2003 report by the United States Department of State, almost 100% of the population in North Korea has access to water and sanitation.
2003: UN Environmental Programme report on forests
In 2003, a United Nations Environmental Programme report indicated that over 70 percent of North Korea was covered by forest, mostly on steep slopes.
July 2004: Goguryeo Tombs Registered as UNESCO Site
In July 2004, the Goguryeo tombs were registered as the first World Heritage property of North Korea in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC).
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, as well as the ability to cultivate and produce biological weapons including anthrax, smallpox, and cholera.
2004: U.S. State Department estimated average military spending
The U.S. State Department has 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 surpassed pre-crisis levels.
Foreign trade surpassed pre-crisis levels in North Korea in 2005 and continues to expand.
July 2006: UN Security Council Resolution 1695 Sanctions North Korea
In July 2006, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 1695 as a result of its nuclear and missile tests.
October 2006: UN Security Council Resolution 1718 Sanctions North Korea
In October 2006, North Korea was sanctioned 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.
2006: Malnutrition Rate Improved
By 2006, the number of malnourished children in North Korea declined to 37%.
October 2007: Peace Agreement Signed
On 4 October 2007, South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Jong Il signed an eight-point peace agreement, furthering efforts toward reconciliation.
2007: Decline in Respiratory Infection Deaths
Since 2007, lower respiratory infection related deaths in North Korea declined by six percent.
October 2008: North Korea Removed from Terrorism Sponsor List
On 11 October 2008, the United States removed North Korea from its list of states that sponsor terrorism after Pyongyang agreed to cooperate on issues related to its nuclear program.
2008: Child Mortality Estimate
In 2008, child mortality in North Korea was estimated to be 45 per 1,000, which is much better than other economically comparable countries.
2008: Literacy Census
The 2008 census listed the entire population of North Korea as literate.
June 2009: UN Security Council Resolution 1874 Sanctions North Korea
In June 2009, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 1874 as a result of its nuclear and missile tests.
2009: North Korea Ends Agreements with South
In 2009, North Korea responded to a more hard-line approach from South Korea by ending all of its previous agreements with the South and deploying additional ballistic missiles.
2009: Government attempts to stem the expanding free market.
In 2009, the North Korean 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 the resulting inflation spike and rare public protests caused a reversal of these policies.
2009: Joined Outer Space Treaty
North Korea joined the Outer Space Treaty in 2009 and stated its intentions to undertake crewed and Moon missions.
2009: Constitution Elevates Songun Policy
The 2009 constitution dropped references to communism and elevated the Songun military first policy while explicitly confirming the position of Kim Jong Il, demonstrating a change in political priorities.
2010: North Korean military expenditure as percentage of state budget.
According to North Korean state media, military expenditure amounted to 15.8 percent of the state budget in 2010.
2010: Population Prediction
Demographic experts in the 20th century estimated that the population would grow to 28 million by 2010.
2010: Sea of Blood Tour in China
In 2010, Sea of Blood went on tour in China. The tour was a major success.
2010: Report Identifies Areas for Scientific Cooperation
In 2010, a 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: Increased Tensions
In 2010, tensions with South Korea and the United States increased with the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.
2010: FIFA World Cup Appearance
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, leading to Kim Jong Un becoming his successor.
2011: Kim Jong Il's Death
Following his death in 2011, Kim Jong Il was announced "Eternal General Secretary" and "Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission".
2011: Kim Jong Un succeeds Kim Jong Il
In 2011, Kim Jong Un succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, as the leader of North Korea, marking the third generation of Kim family leadership.
December 2012: Successful 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 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, 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 Sanctions North Korea
In January 2013, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 2087 as a result of its nuclear and missile tests.
April 2013: Management of Space Program Changes
In April 2013, the Korean Committee of Space Technology was replaced by the National Aerospace Technology Administration to manage the national space program.
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, after developing a friendship with Kim Jong Un.
2013: Increase in Cellular Subscribers
By 2013, the number of cellular subscribers in North Korea had increased to almost two million.
2013: Construction of high-speed railway approved
Construction of a high-speed railway connecting Kaesong, Pyongyang and Sinuiju with speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour (120 mph) was approved in North Korea in 2013.
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: Causes of Death Analysis
In 2013, North Korea's causes of death structure was analyzed and found to be closer to worldwide averages than other low-income countries.
2013: Cardiovascular Disease as Largest Cause of Death
In 2013, cardiovascular disease was reported as the largest cause of death in North Korea.
2013: Malnutrition Rate Further Improved
In 2013, the number of malnourished children in North Korea further declined to 28%.
2013: Overhaul of the SEZ system.
The special economic zone (SEZ) system was overhauled in 2013 when 14 new zones were opened and the Rason Special Economic Zone was reformed as a joint Chinese-North Korean project.
2014: UN Inquiry finds evidence of human rights violations in North Korea.
A 2014 UN inquiry into the DPRK's human rights record found evidence for "systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations" and stated that "the gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world".
2014: Regulations Adopted for Renewable Energy Development
In 2014, North Korea adopted a set of legal regulations emphasizing the development of geothermal, wind, and solar energy, along with recycling and environmental conservation.
2014: Establishment of Miraewon Network
In 2014, the Miraewon network of electronic libraries was established under the slogan of "constructing a powerful knowledge economy".
2014: Moranbong Band Popularity
In 2014, the all-girl Moranbong Band was described as the most popular group in North Korea.
2014: Further Decline in Population Growth Rate
In 2014, the population growth rate in North Korea was 0.5%.
2014: North Korean government rejects human rights abuse claims
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: North Korea blamed for Sony Pictures hack
North Korean KPA units were blamed for the 2014 Sony Pictures hack.
2014: U.S. State Department estimated average military spending
The U.S. State Department has estimated that North Korea's military spending averaged 23% of its GDP from 2004 to 2014, the highest level in the world.
2015: North Korea's Diplomatic Relations
As of 2015, North Korea had diplomatic relations with 166 countries and embassies in 47 countries, reflecting its global engagement.
2015: Access to Improved Sanitation
In 2015, 80% of the population in North Korea had access to improved sanitation facilities.
September 2016: North Korean Internet DNS Data Leak
On September 19, 2016, the North Korean Internet DNS data and top-level domain was left open which allowed global DNS zone transfers, and a dump of the data discovered was shared on GitHub.
2016: Communicable Diseases Deaths
According to the World Bank report of 2016, only 9.5% of the total deaths recorded in North Korea are attributed to communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutrition conditions.
May 2017: Moon Jae-in Elected President
In May 2017, Moon Jae-in was elected president of South Korea with a promise to return to the Sunshine Policy, signaling a potential shift in inter-Korean relations.
November 2017: North Korea Redesignated as State Sponsor of Terrorism
On 20 November 2017, North Korea was re-designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. under the administration of Donald Trump after continued nuclear tests.
December 2017: UN Security Council Resolution 2397 Sanctions North Korea
In December 2017, North Korea was sanctioned under United Nations Security Council resolution 2397 as a result of its nuclear and missile tests.
2017: Press Freedom Ranked Last
In 2017, North Korea's freedom of the press was ranked 180th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' annual Press Freedom Index, highlighting the extreme government control over media.
2017: Strained Relations with Malaysia
In 2017, relations with Malaysia were strained by the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, affecting diplomatic ties.
2017: Panmunjom Declaration
The 2017 Panmunjom Declaration was endorsed in the 2018 Trump-Kim Summit in Singapore, pledging to work towards denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
2017: 2017 crisis
The text references a 2017 crisis where the last ICBM test launch occurred before March 2022.
2017: Increased Tensions
Throughout 2017, tensions between the United States and North Korea increased, with heightened rhetoric.
February 2018: Détente at Winter Olympics
In February 2018, a détente developed at the Winter Olympics held in South Korea, fostering a brief period of improved relations.
June 2018: Trump-Kim Summit in Singapore
On 12 June 2018, US President Trump met with Kim in Singapore. An agreement was signed endorsing the 2017 Panmunjom Declaration and pledging to work towards denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
2018: North Korea ranked highest in modern slavery
In 2018, North Korea was ranked highest in the world in terms of the percentage of population in modern slavery, with 10.4 percent enslaved according to the Walk Free's 2018 Global Slavery Index.
2018: Détente
In 2018, tensions substantially decreased, and a détente developed, leading to a series of summits.
February 2019: Trump-Kim Summit in Hanoi
From 27 to 28 February 2019, US President Trump and Kim Jong Un met in Hanoi, but failed to achieve an agreement.
June 2019: Xi Jinping Visits North Korea
In June 2019, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese President, visited North Korea, leading to improved relations between the two countries.
June 2019: Trump-Kim Meeting at Korean DMZ
On 30 June 2019, Trump met with Kim along with South Korean president Moon Jae-in at the Korean DMZ.
2019: Life Expectancy in 2019
According to HDR 2020, North Korea has a life expectancy of 72.3 years in 2019.
2019: Choe Ryong-hae becomes Chairman of the SPA Standing Committee
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 its borders to foreign tourists
On 22 January 2020, North Korea closed its borders to foreign tourists in response to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea.
2020: Religion Statistics Study
According to a 2020 study, 73% of the population in North Korea are irreligious, 13% practice Chondoism, 12% practice Korean shamanism, 1.5% are Buddhist, and less than 0.5% practice another religion.
2020: Life Expectancy Statistics Released
HDR 2020 released life expectancy for North Korea at 72.3 years in 2019.
January 2021: Kim Jong Un elected as General Secretary
In January 2021, Kim Jong Un was formally elected as the General Secretary in the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, taking on a title previously held by his father, Kim Jong Il.
October 2021: North Korea tests 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, signifying a reaffirmation of core ideological principles.
March 2022: North Korea Conducts Successful ICBM Test Launch
On 24 March 2022, North Korea successfully conducted an ICBM test launch, marking the first such test since the 2017 crisis, demonstrating advancements in its missile technology.
September 2022: North Korea Declares Itself a Nuclear State
In September 2022, North Korea passed a law declaring itself a nuclear state, solidifying its stance on nuclear capabilities.
September 2023: Estimate of North Korea's nuclear warhead arsenal size
As of September 2023, estimates of North Korea's nuclear arsenal ranged between 40 and 116 assembled nuclear warheads.
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," deviating from mutual claims over the Korean Peninsula.
January 15, 2024: Call for constitutional amendment regarding South Korea
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 abandons reunification goal, designates South Korea as "primary foe"
In January 2024, Kim Jong Un announced North Korea would no longer seek reunification with South Korea, and instead aim to "completely occupy, subjugate and reclaiming" the South if war breaks out. South Korea was also designated as North Korea's "primary foe and invariable principal enemy", and government agencies promoting reunification were closed.
October 2024: Military Recruitment and Border Tensions
In October 2024, North Korea claimed 1.4 million people joined its military after accusing South Korea of drone intrusion, leading to heightened border tensions and psychological warfare.
December 2024: Pak Thae-song Becomes Premier
In December 2024, Pak Thae-song became the Premier of North Korea, officially the second-ranking official after Kim Jong Un.
2024: DPRK abandons peaceful reunification
In 2024, the DPRK formally abandoned efforts to peacefully reunify Korea, signaling a shift in its approach to inter-Korean relations.
2044: Renewable Energy Target
North Korea's long-term objective is to curb fossil fuel usage and reach an output of 5 million kilowatts from renewable sources by 2044.
