AD 1910-2000 Modern

The 500-year-long reign by the Yi clan, who founded the Chosŏn kingdom, came to an end in AD 1910. In this year the last Yi Emperor Sunjong signed the Treaty of Annexation, leading to Japan’s occupation of the Korean peninsula between 1910 and 1945. During this time the Japanese had a strong grip on Korean society, including financial and postal services, publishing and education.

The end of the Second World War brought liberation from Japan, but did not result in peace. Soviet troops moved in to occupy the north of the country and American troops occupied the south. War broke out between the two sides in 1950 and lasted till 1953 when an armistice was signed, dividing the country along the thirty-eighth parallel.

Since then North and South Korea have developed independently. In the North Kim Il-sŏng created a communist dictatorship over which he had unlimited power. His son Kim Chŏng-il has ruled the country since 1997. In the South Rhee Sŭng-man (1857-1965) became the first president. South Korea’s post-war development is characterised by political instability and violent demonstrations. A high-point was the successful Seoul Olympics of 1988 which brought Korea widespread international recognition. Since then South Korea has been highly successful in the promotion of national prosperity and stability.