Editing
North Korea–South Korea relations
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
{{Short description|none}} {{Merge to|Korean conflict|discuss=Talk:Korean conflict#Merge proposal|date=March 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox bilateral relations|North Korea–South Korea|Democratic People's Republic of Korea|Republic of Korea |map=North Korea South Korea Locator.png |mission1= |mission2=}} {{Infobox Korean name/auto |title=South Korean name |hangul=^남북_관계 |hanja=南北關係 |othername1=North Korean name (Prior to 2024) |hangul1=^북남_관계 |hanja1=北南關係 |othername2=North Korean name (Since 2024)|hangul2=^조한_관계|hanja2=朝韓關係}} Formerly a [[Korean Empire|single nation]] that was [[Korea under Japanese rule|annexed]] by [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] in 1910, the [[Korean Peninsula]] was [[Division of Korea|divided]] into occupation zones since the end of [[World War II]] on 2 September 1945. The two sovereign countries were founded in the [[North Korea|North]] and [[First Republic of Korea|South]] of the peninsula in 1948, leading to the formal division. Despite the separation, both have claimed sovereignty over all of Korea in their constitutions and both have used the name "Korea" in English. The two countries engaged in the [[Korean War]] from 1950 to 1953 which ended in an [[Korean Armistice Agreement|armistice agreement]] but without a [[peace treaty]]. North Korea is a [[one-party state]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019 |title=North Korea: Systematic Repression |work=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/01/14/north-korea-systematic-repression |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref> run by the [[Kim family (North Korea)|Kim family]]. South Korea was formerly governed by a succession of [[military dictatorship]]s, save for a [[Second Korean Republic|brief one-year democratic period]] from 1960 to 1961, until thorough [[democratization]] in 1987, after which [[1987 South Korean presidential election|direct elections]] were held. Both nations claim the entire Korean Peninsula and outlying islands. Both nations joined the [[United Nations]] in 1991 and are recognized by most member states. Since the 1970s, both nations have held informal diplomatic dialogues in order to ease military tensions. In 2000, [[Kim Dae-jung]] became the first [[President of South Korea]] to visit North Korea, 55 years after the peninsula was divided. Under President Kim, South Korea adopted the [[Sunshine Policy]] in pursuit of more peaceful relationships with North Korea.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moon |first1=Jong-In |last2=Steinberg |first2=David I. |title=Kim Dae-jung government and sunshine policy: promises and challenges |url=https://archive.org/details/kimdaejunggovern00moon |url-access=registration |date=1999 |publisher=Yonsei University Press |location=Seoul |isbn=8971414936}}</ref> The policy established the [[Kaesong Industrial Region]], among other things. This policy was continued by the next president [[Roh Moo-hyun]] who also visited North Korea in 2007 and met with North Korean leader [[Kim Jong Il]]. Through this meeting both leaders signed a declaration to pursue peace and recover inter-Korean relations. However, faced with growing criticism, the Sunshine Policy was discontinued under the next two governments. During [[Lee Myung-bak]] and [[Park Geun-hye]]'s presidencies, the relationship between North and South Korea became more hostile. Under President [[Moon Jae-in]], beginning with North Korea's participation in the [[2018 Winter Olympics]], the relationship saw a major diplomatic breakthrough and become significantly warmer. In April 2018, the two countries signed the [[Panmunjom Declaration]].<ref name=april272018>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/27/the-panmmunjom-declaration-full-text-of-agreement-between-north-korea-and-south-korea/|title=The full text of North and South Korea's agreement, annotated|first=Adam|last=Taylor|date=27 April 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612232536/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/27/the-panmmunjom-declaration-full-text-of-agreement-between-north-korea-and-south-korea/|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The summits between North and South Korea also facilitated positive relationships between North Korea and the United States. However, the negotiations stalled in 2020 and relations deteriorated, particularly during the presidency of [[Yoon Suk Yeol]], with an increase in military tensions. On 30 December 2023, Kim Jong Un declared peaceful reunification impossible, stating that North Korea was no longer "consanguineous or homogeneous" with South Korea and that the two Koreas had become two separate ethnic nations ([[Korean nationalism|minjok]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeongmin |date=2024-01-01 |title=Why North Korea declared unification 'impossible,' abandoning decades-old goal {{!}} NK News |url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/01/why-north-korea-declared-unification-impossible-abandoning-decades-old-goal/ |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=NK News - North Korea News |language=en-US}}</ref> Following this declaration, North Korea officially began referring to the South as "Hanguk" ([[endonym]] for South Korea) and characterizing inter-Korean relations as "Chosŏn-Hanguk relations (''chohan kwan'gye'')" rather than the traditional term "North-South relations."<ref>{{Cite web |title=조한관계는 동족이라는 개념의 시간대를 완전히 벗어났다／당중앙위원회 김여정부부장 담화 |url=https://chosonsinbo.com/2025/07/28-325/ |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=조선신보 |language=ja}}</ref> This underscores North Korea's departure from its previous South Korea policies that were based on [[Korean ethnic nationalism]], a political and cultural rupture described as "de-ethnification" by the ''[[Daily NK]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-21 |title=Pyongyang's new strategy: Exploiting S. Korea's political divisions and weakened NGOs |url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/pyongyang-new-strategy-exploiting-south-korea-political-divisions-weakened-ngos/ |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=Daily NK English |language=en-US}}</ref> == Division of Korea == {{Main|Division of Korea}} [[File:28.08.1946 Labour Party North Korea.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kim Il Sung]], amongst other Korean communists and Soviet representatives, at a conference in [[Pyongyang]] in 1946, seated under large portraits of Soviet leader [[Joseph Stalin]] and himself.]] [[File:Syngman Rhee and Douglas MacArthur.jpg|thumb|right|[[Syngman Rhee]] together with US general [[Douglas MacArthur]] at the grand ceremony inaugurating the government of the [[First Republic of Korea|Republic of Korea]] (South Korea) in 1948.]] The Korean peninsula was previously an [[Joseon|independent state]] until 1897 when it declared independence from the [[Qing dynasty]]'s tributary system. In 1905, the [[Korean Empire]] became a protectorate of Japan and later [[Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910|annexed]] into Japan in 1910 beginning its [[Korea under Japanese rule|35-year long colonial rule]]. On 9 August 1945, in the closing days of [[World War II]], the Soviet Union [[Soviet–Japanese War|declared war on Japan]] and advanced into Korea. Though the Soviet declaration of war had been agreed by the Allies at the [[Yalta Conference]], the US government became concerned at the prospect of all of Korea falling under Soviet control. The US government therefore requested Soviet forces halt their advance at the [[38th parallel north]], leaving the south of the peninsula, including the capital, [[Seoul]], to be occupied by the US. This was incorporated into [[General Order No. 1]] to Japanese forces after the [[Surrender of Japan]] on 15 August. On 24 August, the Red Army entered [[Pyongyang]] and established a military government over Korea north of the parallel. American forces landed in the south on 8 September and established the [[United States Army Military Government in Korea]].<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n60 50]}}</ref> The Allies had originally envisaged a joint trusteeship which would steer Korea towards independence, but most Korean nationalists wanted independence immediately.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n69 59]}}</ref> Meanwhile, the wartime co-operation between the Soviet Union and the US deteriorated as the [[Cold War]] took hold. Both occupying powers began promoting into positions of authority Koreans aligned with their side of politics and marginalizing their opponents. Many of these emerging political leaders were returning exiles with little popular support.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n60 50]–51, 59}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History| last = Cumings| first = Bruce| author-link = Bruce Cumings| year = 2005| publisher = [[W. W. Norton & Company]]| location = New York| isbn = 0-393-32702-7 |pages=194–95}}</ref> In North Korea, the Soviet Union supported Korean Communists. Kim Il Sung, who from 1941 had served in the Soviet Army, became the major political figure.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n66 56]}}</ref> Society was centralized and collectivized, following the Soviet model.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n78 68]}}</ref> Politics in the South was more tumultuous, but the strongly anti-Communist Syngman Rhee emerged as the most prominent politician.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n76 66], 69}}</ref> The US government took the issue to the United Nations, which led to the formation of the [[United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea]] (UNTCOK) in 1947. The Soviet Union opposed this move and refused to allow UNTCOK to operate in the North. UNTCOK organized a [[1948 South Korean Constitutional Assembly election|general election]] in the South, which was held on 10 May 1948.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |page=13}}</ref> The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was declared on 10 July, with [[Kim Il Sung]] as prime minister appointed on 9 September and the Soviet occupational forces left the North on 10 December 1948. In the south, the Republic of Korea was established with [[Syngman Rhee]] as president, and formally replaced the US military occupation on 15 August and its troops withdrew from the South the following year, though the US [[Korean Military Advisory Group]] remained to train the [[Republic of Korea Army]].<ref>{{cite book| title = Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History| last = Cumings| first = Bruce| author-link = Bruce Cumings| year = 2005| publisher = [[W. W. Norton & Company]]| location = New York| isbn = 0-393-32702-7 |pages=255–56}}</ref> Both opposing governments considered themselves to be the government of the whole of Korea, and both saw the division as temporary.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n82 72]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| title = Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History| last = Cumings| first = Bruce| author-link = Bruce Cumings| year = 2005| publisher = [[W. W. Norton & Company]]| location = New York| isbn = 0-393-32702-7 |pages=505–06}}</ref> The DPRK proclaimed Seoul to be its official capital, a position not changed until 1972.<ref>{{cite book |author= Hyung Gu Lynn |date= 2007 |title= Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989 |url= https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn |url-access= limited |publisher= Zed Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn/page/n172 158]}}</ref> ==Korean War== {{Main|Korean War}} [[File:Korean War armistice agreement 1953.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|Delegates sign the Korean Armistice Agreement in [[Panmunjom|P'anmunjŏm]].]] North Korea invaded the South on 25 June 1950, and swiftly overran most of the country. In September 1950 the [[United Nations Command|United Nations force]], led by the United States, intervened to defend the South, and advanced into North Korea. As they neared the border with China, Chinese forces intervened on behalf of North Korea, shifting the balance of the war again. Fighting ended on 27 July 1953, with an [[Korean Armistice Agreement|armistice]] that approximately restored the original boundaries between North and South Korea.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n81 71]}}</ref> Syngman Rhee refused to sign the armistice, but reluctantly agreed to abide by it.<ref name="Bluth 2008">{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |page=20}}</ref> The armistice inaugurated an official ceasefire but did not lead to a peace treaty. It established the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]] (DMZ), a buffer zone between the two sides, that intersected the 38th parallel but did not follow it.<ref name="Bluth 2008"/> North Korea has announced that it will no longer abide by the armistice at least six times, in the years 1994, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2009/05/28/46/0401000000AEN20090528004200315F.HTML |title=Chronology of major North Korean statements on the Korean War armistice|agency=Yonhap |date=28 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312170354/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2009/05/28/46/0401000000AEN20090528004200315F.HTML |archive-date=12 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21709917 |title=North Korea ends peace pacts with South |work=[[BBC News]] |date=8 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311043455/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21709917 |archive-date=11 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Large numbers of people were displaced as a result of the war, and many families were divided by the reconstituted border. In 2007 it was estimated that around 750,000 people remained separated from immediate family members, and family reunions have long been a diplomatic priority for the South.<ref>{{cite book |author= Hyung Gu Lynn |date= 2007 |title= Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989 |url= https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn |url-access= limited |publisher= Zed Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn/page/n24 10]}}</ref> ==Cold War== Competition between North and South Korea became key to decision-making on both sides. For example, the construction of the [[Pyongyang Metro]] spurred the construction of one in Seoul.<ref>{{cite book| title = Kim Il-song's North Korea | last = Hunter | first = Helen-Louise | year = 1999 | publisher = Praeger | location = Westport, Connecticut | isbn = 0-275-96296-2 |page=189}}</ref> In the 1980s, the South Korean government built a 98m tall flagpole in its village of [[Daeseong-dong]] in the DMZ. In response, North Korea built a 160m tall flagpole in its nearby village of [[Kijŏng-dong]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43806930|title=North and South Korea: The petty side of diplomacy|first=Yvette|last=Tan|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=25 April 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702144641/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43806930|archive-date=2 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Tensions escalated in the late 1960s with a series of low-level armed clashes known as the [[Korean DMZ Conflict]]. During this time North and South Korea conducted covert raids on each other in a series of retaliatory strikes, which included assassination attempts on the South and North leaders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/15/world/south-korean-movie-unlocks-door-on-a-once-secret-past.html|title=South Korean Movie Unlocks Door on a Once-Secret Past|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=15 February 2004|last1=Onishi|first1=Norimitsu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/116_80936.html |title=S. Korea raided North with captured agents in 1967 |work=[[The Korea Times]]|author=Lee Tae-hoon |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=12 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001195904/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/02/116_80936.html |archive-date=1 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76ve12/d286 |title=Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, August 25, 1976, 10:30 a.m. |date=25 August 1976 |access-date=12 May 2012 |publisher=[[Office of the Historian]], U.S. Department of State |quote=Clements: I like it. It doesn't have an overt character. I have been told that there have been 200 other such operations and that none of these have surfaced. Kissinger: It is different for us with the War Powers Act. I don't remember any such operations. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925121535/http://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76ve12/d286 |archive-date=25 September 2012 }}</ref> On 21 January 1968, North Koreans commandos attacked the South Korean [[Blue House Raid|Blue House]]. On 11 December 1969, [[Korean Air Lines YS-11 hijacking|a South Korean airliner was hijacked]]. During preparations for [[1972 Nixon visit to China|US President Nixon's visit to China in 1972]], South Korean President Park Chung Hee initiated covert contact with the North's Kim Il Sung.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |page=48}}</ref> In August 1971, the first [[Red Cross]] talks between North and South Korea were held.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite book |author=김영호 |script-title=ko:사실로 본 한국 근현대사 |edition=2nd |publisher=황금알 |location=Seoul |year=2011}}<!--. Print.--></ref> Many of the participants were really intelligence or party officials.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | page = 12 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> In May 1972, [[Lee Hu-rak]], the director of the [[National Intelligence Service (South Korea)|Korean Central Intelligence Agency]] (KCIA), secretly met with Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang. Kim apologized for the Blue House Raid, denying he had approved it.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | pages = 18–19| isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> In return, North Korea's deputy premier [[Pak Song-chol|Pak Song Chol]] made a secret visit to Seoul.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | page = 19 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> On 4 July 1972, the North-South Joint Statement was issued. The statement announced the Three Principles of Reunification: first, reunification must be solved independently without interference from or reliance on foreign powers; second, reunification must be realized in a peaceful way without use of armed forces against each other; finally, reunification transcend the differences of ideologies and institutions to promote the unification of Korea as one ethnic group.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | pages = 19–20 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> It also established the first "hotline" between the two sides.<ref>{{cite book| title = Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey | url = https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi | url-access = registration | last = Robinson | first = Michael E | year = 2007 | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | location = Honolulu | isbn = 978-0-8248-3174-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/179 179]}}</ref> North Korea suspended talks in 1973 after the kidnapping of South Korean opposition leader [[Kim Dae-jung]] by the KCIA.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | page = 35 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> Talks restarted, however, and between 1973 and 1975 there were 10 meetings of the North-South Coordinating Committee at [[Panmunjom]].<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | page = 36 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> In the late 1970s, US President [[Jimmy Carter]] hoped to achieve peace in Korea. However, his plans were derailed because of the unpopularity of his proposed withdrawal of troops.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | pages = 83–86 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> In 1983, a North Korean proposal for three-way talks with the United States and South Korea coincided with the [[Rangoon bombing|Rangoon assassination attempt against the South Korean President]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |page=59}}</ref> This contradictory behavior has never been explained.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | page = 113 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> In September 1984, North Korea's Red Cross sent emergency supplies to the South after severe floods.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Talks resumed, resulting in the first reunion of separated families in 1985, as well as a series of cultural exchanges.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Choe 2014"/> Goodwill dissipated with the staging of the US-South Korean military exercise, [[Team Spirit]], in 1986.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | pages = 118–19 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> [[File:Korean Air HL7406 Boeing 707-3B5C at Nagoya Airport, October 1987.jpg|thumb|The aircraft involved in the bombing of [[Korean Air Flight 858]], HL7406, seen one month before the destruction]] [[File:Unification flag of Korea (pre 2006).svg|thumb|[[Korean Unification Flag]]]] When Seoul was chosen to host the [[1988 Summer Olympics]], North Korea tried to arrange a boycott by its Communist allies or a joint hosting of the Games.<ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | pages = 142–43 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> This failed, and the bombing of [[Korean Air Flight 858]] in 1987 was seen as North Korea's revenge.<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n175 165]}}</ref> However, at the same time, amid a global thawing of the Cold War, the newly elected South Korean President [[Roh Tae-woo]] launched a diplomatic initiative known as ''[[Nordpolitik]]''. This proposed the interim development of a "Korean Community", which was similar to a North Korean proposal for a confederation.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |pages=48–49}}</ref> From 4 to 7 September 1990, high-level talks were held in Seoul, at the same time that the North was protesting about the Soviet Union normalizing relations with the South. These talks led in 1991 to the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, Exchanges and Cooperation and the [[Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |pages=49, 66–67}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last1= Oberdorfer| first1=Don| last2=Carlin| first2=Robert | title=The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History | publisher = Basic Books| year = 2014 | pages = 165–69, 173–75 | isbn = 9780465031238}}</ref> This coincided with the admission of both North and South Korea into the United Nations.<ref name="BipolarOrdersp160">{{cite book |author= Hyung Gu Lynn |date= 2007 |title= Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989 |url= https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn |url-access= limited |publisher= Zed Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn/page/n174 160]}}</ref> Meanwhile, on 25 March 1991, a unified Korean team first used the [[Korean Unification Flag]] at the World Table Tennis Competition in Japan, and on 6 May 1991, a unified team competed at the World Youth Football Competition in [[Portugal]]. There were limits to the thaw in relations, however. In 1989, [[Lim Su-kyung]], a South Korean student activist who participated in the [[13th World Festival of Youth and Students|World Youth Festival]] in Pyongyang, was jailed on her return.<ref name="BipolarOrdersp160"/> ==Sunshine and shadow== [[File:Comparison of life expectancy in South and North Koreas.png|thumb|Comparison of [[life expectancy]] in South and North Koreas]] The end of the Cold War brought [[North Korean famine|economic crisis]] to North Korea and led to expectations that reunification was imminent.<ref>{{cite book| title = Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History| last = Cumings| first = Bruce| author-link = Bruce Cumings| year = 2005| publisher = [[W. W. Norton & Company]]| location = New York| isbn = 0-393-32702-7 |page=509}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n183 173]–76}}</ref> North Koreans began to flee to the South in increasing numbers. According to official statistics there were 561 defectors living in South Korea in 1995, and over 10,000 in 2007.<ref>{{cite book |author= Hyung Gu Lynn |date= 2007 |title= Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989 |url= https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn |url-access= limited |publisher= Zed Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn/page/n178 164]}}</ref> In December 1991 both states made an accord, the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, Exchange and Cooperation, pledging non-aggression and cultural and economic exchanges. They also agreed on prior notification of major military movements and established a military [[hotline]], and working on replacing the armistice with a "peace regime".<ref name=wp-19911213>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/12/13/two-koreas-pledge-to-end-aggression/d104ab96-1a85-4024-8b61-bf9e43d779eb/ |title=Two Koreas pledge to end aggression |last=Blustein |first=Paul |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=13 December 1991 |access-date=19 September 2018}}</ref><ref name=nyt-19911213>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/13/world/koreas-sign-pact-renouncing-force-in-a-step-to-unity.html |title=Koreas sign Pact renouncing force in a step to unity |author=David E. Sanger |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=13 December 1991 |access-date=19 September 2018}}</ref><ref name=state-19911213>{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/t/ac/rls/or/2004/31012.htm |title=Agreement on Reconciliation, Nonagression and Exchanges And Cooperation Between the South and the North |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=13 December 1991 |access-date=19 September 2018}}</ref> In 1994, concern over [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korea's nuclear program]] led to the [[Agreed Framework]] between the US and North Korea.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |pages=68, 76}}</ref> In 1998, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung announced a [[Sunshine Policy]] towards North Korea. Despite [[First Battle of Yeonpyeong|a naval clash in 1999]], this led in June 2000, to the first [[Inter-Korean summits|Inter-Korean summit]], between Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong Il.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey | url = https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/165 | url-access = registration | last = Robinson | first = Michael E | year = 2007 | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | location = Honolulu | isbn = 978-0-8248-3174-5 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/165 165, 180] }}</ref> As a result, Kim Dae-jung was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]].<ref>{{cite book |author= Hyung Gu Lynn |date= 2007 |title= Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989 |url= https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn |url-access= limited |publisher= Zed Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn/page/n175 161]}}</ref> The summit was followed in August by a family reunion.<ref name="Choe 2014"/> In September, the North and South Korean teams marched together at the [[Sydney Olympics]].<ref>{{cite book| title = The Making of Modern Korea | url = https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo | url-access = limited | last = Buzo | first = Adrian | year = 2002| publisher = Routledge| location = London | isbn = 0-415-23749-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmodernkore00buzo/page/n189 179]}}</ref> Trade increased to the point where South Korea became North Korea's largest trading partner.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |page=107}}</ref> Starting in 1998, the [[Mount Kumgang Tourist Region]] was developed as a joint venture between the North Korean government and [[Hyundai Group|Hyundai]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey | url = https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/179 | url-access = registration | last = Robinson | first = Michael E | year = 2007 | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | location = Honolulu | isbn = 978-0-8248-3174-5 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/179 179–80] }}</ref> In 2003, the [[Kaesong Industrial Region]] was established to allow South Korean businesses to invest in the North.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |pages=107–08}}</ref> In the early 2000s South Korea ceased infiltrating its agents into the North.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/12709883|script-title=ko:[현장 속으로] 돌아오지 못한 북파공작원 7726명|date=28 September 2013|website=[[JoongAng Ilbo]]}}</ref> US President [[George W Bush]], however, did not support the Sunshine Policy and in 2002 branded North Korea as a member of an [[Axis of Evil]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea's Place in the Sun: A Modern History| last = Cumings| first = Bruce| author-link = Bruce Cumings| year = 2005| publisher = [[W. W. Norton & Company]]| location = New York| isbn = 0-393-32702-7 |page=504}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |page=112}}</ref> Continuing concerns about North Korea's potential to develop nuclear missiles led in 2003 to the [[six-party talks]] that included North Korea, South Korea, the US, Russia, China, and Japan.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |pages=124–25}}</ref> In 2006, however, North Korea resumed testing missiles and on 9 October conducted its [[2006 North Korean nuclear test|first nuclear test]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea| last = Bluth | first = Christoph | year = 2008| publisher = Polity Press| location = Cambridge| isbn = 978-07456-3357-2 |pages=132–33}}</ref> The [[June 15th North–South Joint Declaration|15 June 2000 Joint Declaration]] that the two leaders signed during the first [[Inter-Korean summit|South-North summit]] stated that they would hold the second summit at an appropriate time. It was originally envisaged that the second summit would be held in South Korea, but that did not happen. South Korean President [[Roh Moo-hyun]] walked across the DMZ on 2 October 2007 and traveled on to Pyongyang for talks with Kim Jong Il.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7023079.stm Korean leaders in historic talks], BBC, Tuesday, 2 October 2007, 10:14 GMT</ref><ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7023270.stm In pictures: Historic crossing], BBC, 2 October 2007, 10:15 GMT</ref><ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7022080.stm Mixed feelings over Koreas summit], BBC, 2 October 2007, 10:17 GMT</ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/koreas.summit/index.html Kim greets Roh in Pyongyang before historic summit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109070221/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/koreas.summit/index.html |date=9 November 2007 }}, CNN. Retrieved 2 October 2007.</ref> The two sides reaffirmed the spirit of 15 June Joint Declaration and had discussions on various issues related to realizing the advancement of south–north relations, peace on the Korean Peninsula, common prosperity of the people and the unification of Korea. On 4 October 2007, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il signed a peace declaration. The document called for international talks to replace the [[s:Korean Armistice Agreement|Armistice]] which ended the [[Korean War]] with a permanent peace treaty.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7027236.stm Korean leaders issue peace call], BBC, 4 October 2007.</ref> During this period political developments were reflected in art. The films ''[[Shiri (film)|Shiri]]'', in 1999, and ''[[Joint Security Area (film)|Joint Security Area]]'', in 2000, gave sympathetic representations of North Koreans.<ref>{{cite book | title = Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey | url = https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/184 | url-access = registration | last = Robinson | first = Michael E | year = 2007 | publisher = University of Hawaii Press | location = Honolulu | isbn = 978-0-8248-3174-5 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/koreastwentieth00robi/page/184 184–85] }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author= Hyung Gu Lynn |date= 2007 |title= Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989 |url= https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn |url-access= limited |publisher= Zed Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/bipolarorderstwo00lynn/page/n177 163]}}</ref> == Sunshine Policy ends == === Lee Myung-bak government === [[File:Joint Security Area, Korean DMZ, looking south.jpg|thumb|The Korean DMZ in 2012, viewed from the north.]] The Sunshine Policy was formally abandoned by the new South Korean President [[Lee Myung-bak]] in 2010.<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/south-korea-formally-declares-end-to-sunshine-policy--108904544/130750.html South Korea Formally Declares End to Sunshine Policy], [https://www.voanews.com Voice of America], 18 November 2010</ref> On 26 March 2010, the 1,500-ton [[ROKS Cheonan sinking|ROKS ''Cheonan'']] with a crew of 104, sank off [[Baengnyeongdo]] in the [[Yellow Sea]]. Seoul said there was an explosion at the stern, and was investigating whether a torpedo attack was the cause. Out of 104 sailors, 46 died and 58 were rescued. Lee convened an emergency meeting of security officials and ordered the military to focus on rescuing the sailors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://app.response.stratfor.com/e/es.aspx?s=1483&e=3399&elq=05cf8be54ef54e1da76265c30506d3cd |title=Geopolitical Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610193339/http://app.response.stratfor.com/e/es.aspx?s=1483&e=3399&elq=05cf8be54ef54e1da76265c30506d3cd |archive-date=10 June 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8589507.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |title='Blast' sinks S Korea navy ship |date=26 March 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327065313/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8589507.stm |archive-date=27 March 2010 }}</ref> On 20 May 2010, a team of international researchers published results claiming that the sinking had been caused by a North Korean torpedo; North Korea rejected the findings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10131683 |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Anger at North Korea over sinking |date=20 May 2010 |access-date=23 May 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523031829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10131683.stm |archive-date=23 May 2010 }}</ref> South Korea agreed with the findings from the research group and Lee declared afterwards that Seoul would cut all trade with North Korea as part of measures primarily aimed at striking back at North Korea diplomatically and financially.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/south-korea-cuts-trade-ties-with-north-over-sinking-20100524-w7y6.html|title=South Korea cuts trade ties with North over sinking|last=Choe Sang-Hun|date=24 May 2010|work=The Age|access-date=17 December 2024|location=Melbourne, Australia}}</ref> North Korea denied all such allegations and responded by severing ties between the countries and announced it abrogated the previous non-aggression agreement.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64O3YU20100525 Text from North Korea statement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605153427/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64O3YU20100525 |date=5 June 2010 }}, by Jonathan Thatcher, Reuters, 25 May 2010</ref> On 23 November 2010, [[Bombardment of Yeonpyeong|North Korea's artillery fired]] at South Korea's [[Daeyeonpyeong|Yeonpyeong]] island in the Yellow Sea and South Korea returned fire. Two South Korean marines and two civilians were killed, more than a dozen were wounded, including three civilians. About 10 North Koreans were believed to be killed; however, the North Korean government denies this. The town was evacuated and South Korea warned of stern retaliation, with Lee ordering the destruction of a nearby North Korea missile base if further provocation should occur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2010/11/23/81/0301000000AEN20101123013700315F.HTML |title=(LEAD) S. Korea vows 'stern retaliation' against N. Korea's attacks |language=ko |publisher=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |date=23 November 2010 |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617105614/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2010/11/23/81/0301000000AEN20101123013700315F.HTML |archive-date=17 June 2012 }}</ref> The official North Korean news agency, KCNA, stated that North Korea only fired after the South had "recklessly fired into our sea area".<ref name=nyt-20101123>{{Cite news|last=McDonald |first=Mark |title=North and South Korea Exchange Fire, Killing Two |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/world/asia/24korea.html?src=mv |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=23 November 2010 |access-date=23 November 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125081055/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/world/asia/24korea.html?src=mv |archive-date=25 November 2010 }}</ref> In 2011 it was revealed that North Korea abducted four high-ranking South Korean military officers in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rahn |last=Kim |title=North Korea abducted 4 South Korean military officers' |date=20 May 2011 |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/05/113_87371.html |work=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=31 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522000420/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/05/113_87371.html |archive-date=22 May 2011 }}</ref> ===Park Geun-hye government=== On 12 December 2012, North Korea launched the [[Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2]], a scientific and technological satellite, and it reached orbit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201212/news08/20121208-23ee.html |title=KCST Spokesman on Launching Time of Satellite |publisher=Kcna.co.jp |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012074854/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201212/news08/20121208-23ee.html |archive-date=12 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201212/news12/20121212-08ee.html |title=DPRK Succeeds in Satellite Launch |publisher=Kcna.co.jp |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102060136/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201212/news12/20121212-08ee.html |archive-date=2 January 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201212/news12/20121212-09ee.html |title=KCNA Releases Report on Satellite Launch |publisher=Kcna.co.jp |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102060142/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201212/news12/20121212-09ee.html |archive-date=2 January 2013 }}</ref> In response, the United States deployed its warships in the region.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20636671 |title=US moves warships to track North Korea rocket launch |publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=7 December 2012 |access-date=5 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319182002/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20636671 |archive-date=19 March 2013 }}</ref> January–September 2013 saw an escalation of tensions between North Korea and South Korea, the United States, and Japan that began because of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2087]], which condemned North Korea for the launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2. The crisis was marked by extreme escalation of rhetoric by the new North Korean administration under [[Kim Jong Un]] and actions suggesting imminent nuclear attacks against South Korea, Japan, and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=In Focus North Korea's Nuclear Threats |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/04/12/world/asia/north-korea-questions.html|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416011036/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/04/12/world/asia/north-korea-questions.html?_r=0 |archive-date=16 April 2013 }}</ref> On 24 March 2014, a crashed North Korean drone was found near [[Paju]], the onboard cameras contained pictures of the [[Blue House]] and military installations near the DMZ. On 31 March, following an exchange of artillery fire into the waters of the NLL, a North Korean drone was found crashed on Baengnyeongdo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2987297 |title=Mystery drones found in Baengnyeong, Paju |publisher=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=16 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916170346/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2987297 |archive-date=16 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27321668 |title=South Korea: Drones 'confirmed as North Korean' |work=[[BBC News]] |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=16 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916170543/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27321668 |archive-date=16 September 2014 }}</ref> On 15 September, wreckage of a suspected North Korean drone was found by a fisherman in the waters near Baengnyeongdo, the drone was reported to be similar to one of the North Korean drones which had crashed in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-drones-idUSKBN0HA0ZC20140915 |title=South Korea finds wreckage in sea of suspected North Korean drone |work=[[Reuters]]|date=15 September 2014 |access-date=16 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916031615/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/15/us-northkorea-drones-idUSKBN0HA0ZC20140915 |archive-date=16 September 2014 }}</ref> According to a 2014 [[BBC World Service]] poll, 3% of South Koreans viewed North Korea's influence positively, with 91% expressing a negative view, making South Korea, after Japan, the country with the most negative feelings of North Korea in the world.<ref>[http://www.globescan.com/images/images/pressreleases/bbc2014_country_ratings/2014_country_rating_poll_bbc_globescan.pdf 2014 World Service Poll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305012202/http://www.globescan.com/images/images/pressreleases/bbc2014_country_ratings/2014_country_rating_poll_bbc_globescan.pdf |date=5 March 2015 }} [[BBC]]</ref> However, a 2014 government-funded survey found 13% of South Koreans viewed North Korea as hostile, and 58% of South Koreans believed North Korea was a country they should cooperate with.<ref name=diplomat-20140530>{{cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/south-koreans-view-north-korea-as-cooperative-partner/ |title=South Koreans View North Korea as Cooperative Partner |author=Zachary Keck |publisher=The Diplomat |date=30 May 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref> On 1 January 2015, Kim in his New Year's address to the country, stated that he was willing to resume higher-level talks with the South.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/north-korean-leader-open-summit-south-073027307.html |title=Yahoo! News |work=Yahoo News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305035158/http://news.yahoo.com/north-korean-leader-open-summit-south-073027307.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref> In the first week of August 2015, a mine went off at the DMZ, wounding two South Korean soldiers. The South Korean government accused the North of planting the mine, which the North denied. After that South Korea restarted propaganda broadcasts to the North.<ref>{{cite news|title=Land Mine Blast South Korea Threatens North with Retaliation |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/land-mine-blast-south-korea-threatens-north-with-retaliation-20150810-givjim.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813021912/http://www.smh.com.au/world/land-mine-blast-south-korea-threatens-north-with-retaliation-20150810-givjim.html |archive-date=13 August 2015 }}</ref> On 20 August 2015, North Korea fired a shell on the city of [[Yeoncheon]]. South Korea launched several artillery rounds in response. There were no casualties in the South, but some local residents evacuated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34001126 |title=South Korea evacuation after shelling on western border |date=20 August 2015 |publisher=[[BBC News]]|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822205709/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34001126 |archive-date=22 August 2015 }}</ref> The shelling caused both countries to adopt pre-war statuses and a talk that was held by high level officials in the [[Panmunjeom]] to relieve tensions on 22 August 2015, and the talks carried over to the next day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rival Koreas Restart Talks, Pull Back from Brink for Now |url=https://news.yahoo.com/korea-us-brace-n-korea-deadline-tension-mounts-051323500.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305114934/http://news.yahoo.com/korea-us-brace-n-korea-deadline-tension-mounts-051323500.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref> Nonetheless, while talks were going on, North Korea deployed over 70 percent of their submarines, which increased the tension once more on 23 August 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=North Korea Deploys Submarines while Talks with Seoul Resume |url=https://news.yahoo.com/korea-us-brace-n-korea-deadline-tension-mounts-051323500.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305114934/http://news.yahoo.com/korea-us-brace-n-korea-deadline-tension-mounts-051323500.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref> Talks continued into the next day and finally concluded on 25 August when both parties reached an agreement and military tensions were eased. Despite peace talks between South Korea and North Korea on 9 September 2016 regarding the North's missile test, North Korea continued to progress with its missile testing. North Korea carried out its [[List of North Korean missile tests|fifth nuclear test]] as part of the state's 68th anniversary since its founding.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-nuclear-idUSKCN11F02N |title=South Korea says North's nuclear capability 'speeding up', calls for action |first=Jack |last=Kim |work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=27 September 2016 |date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927020337/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-nuclear-idUSKCN11F02N |archive-date=27 September 2016 }}</ref> In response South Korea revealed that it had a plan to assassinate Kim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/23/asia/south-korea-plan-to-assassinate-kim-jong-un/ |title=South Korea reveals it has a plan to assassinate Kim Jong Un |first=Paula |last=Hancocks |work=[[CNN]]|access-date=27 September 2016 |date=23 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926192126/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/23/asia/south-korea-plan-to-assassinate-kim-jong-un |archive-date=26 September 2016 }}</ref> According to a 2017 Korea Institute for National Unification, 58% of South Korean citizens had responded that unification is necessary. Among the respondents of the 2017 survey, 14% said 'we really need unification' while 44% said 'we kind of need the unification'. Regarding the survey question of 'Do we still need unification even if ROK and DPRK could peacefully coexist?', 46% agreed and 32% disagreed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kinu.or.kr/main/kinu |script-title=ko:통일연구원 |language=ko|publisher=Kinu.or.kr |access-date=12 June 2018}}</ref> == Thaw in 2017 and 2018 == {{See also|2017–2018 North Korea crisis|2018–19 Korean peace process}}[[File:Kim Jong-un meeting with South Korean envoys at the Workers' Party of Korea main building.jpg|thumb|[[Kim Jong Un]] meeting with South Korean envoys at the [[Workers' Party of Korea]] main building, 6 March 2018]] In May 2017 [[Moon Jae-in]] was elected President of South Korea with a promise to return to the Sunshine Policy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-koreas-likely-next-president-warns-the-us-not-to-meddle-in-its-democracy/2017/05/02/2295255e-29c1-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|title=South Korea's likely next president warns the U.S. not to meddle in its democracy|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502160241/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/south-koreas-likely-next-president-warns-the-us-not-to-meddle-in-its-democracy/2017/05/02/2295255e-29c1-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|archive-date=2 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In his New Year address for 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proposed sending a delegation to the [[North Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics|upcoming Winter Olympics]] in South Korea.<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2017/12/31/asia/kim-jong-un-new-year-address-nuclear/index.html Kim Jong Un offers rare olive branch to South Korea] CNN. By Alanne Orjoux and Steve George. 2 January 2018. Downloaded 2 January 2018.</ref> The [[Seoul–Pyongyang hotline]] was reopened after almost two years.<ref>{{cite news | title = North Korea reopens cross-border communication channel with South Korea | last = Kim | first = Hyung-Jin | work = Chicago Tribune | agency = Associated Press | date = 3 January 2018 | access-date = 5 January 2018 | url = http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-south-korea-talks-north-20180102-story.html | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180104221341/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-south-korea-talks-north-20180102-story.html | archive-date = 4 January 2018 }}</ref> At the Winter Olympics, North and South Korea marched together in the opening ceremony and fielded a united women's ice hockey team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/|title='Cheer Up!' North Korean Cheerleaders Rally Unified Women's Hockey Team During 8–0 Loss|first1=Sean|last1=Gregory|author2=Gangneug|magazine=Time|date=10 February 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409023358/http://time.com/5142964/korea-hockey-olympics-winter-2018/|archive-date=9 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> As well as the athletes, North Korea sent an unprecedented high-level delegation, headed by [[Kim Yo Jong]], sister of Kim Jong Un, and President [[Kim Yong-nam|Kim Yong Nam]], and including performers like the [[Samjiyon Orchestra]].<ref name=Delegation>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo|title=Delegation visit shows N. Korea can take "drastic" steps to improve relations: MOU|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=12 February 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102708/https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/delegation-visit-shows-n-korea-can-take-drastic-steps-to-improve-relations-mo/|archive-date=28 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A North Korean art troupe also performed in two separate South Korean cities, including Seoul, in honor of the Olympic games as well.<ref>{{YouTube|id=fESOnIgvB0A|title=North Korea's art troupe arrives in South Korea via ferry Tuesday}}</ref> The North Korean ship which carried the art troupe, [[Man Gyong Bong 92]], was also the first North Korean ship to arrive in South Korea since 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/02/carrying-art-troupe-north-koreas-mangyongbong-92-arrives-in-south-korea/|title=Carrying art troupe, North Korea's Mangyongbong-92 arrives in South Korea|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=6 February 2018}}</ref> The delegation passed on an invitation to President Moon to visit North Korea.<ref name=Delegation/> Following the Olympics, authorities of the two countries raised the possibility that they could host the [[2021 Asian Winter Games]] together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/north-korea-co-host-2021-asian-games-south|title=North Korea could co-host 2021 Asian Games with South, official says|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 February 2018|access-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305200646/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/north-korea-co-host-2021-asian-games-south|archive-date=5 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 April, South Korean [[K-pop]] stars performed a concert in Pyongyang entitled "[[Spring is Coming]]", which was attended by Kim Jong Un and his wife.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-perfor/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-wife-watch-south-korean-k-pop-stars-perform-in-pyongyang-idUSKCN1H81A5|title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un, wife, watch South Korean K-pop stars perform in Pyongyang|first1=Christine|last1=Kim|first2=Heekyong|last2=Yang|work=[[Reuters]]|date=2 April 2018|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427202650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-southkorea-perfor/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-wife-watch-south-korean-k-pop-stars-perform-in-pyongyang-idUSKCN1H81A5|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The K-pop stars were part of a 160-member South Korean art troupe which performed in North Korea in early April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/03/seoul-to-send-160-member-art-troupe-including-k-pop-singers-to-pyongyang/|title=Seoul to send 160-member art troupe, including K-pop singers, to Pyongyang|publisher=[[NK News]]|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|date=20 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=arttroupereturn>{{YouTube|id=XSpQUPDXGco|title=North Korean art troupe returns home after performances in the South}}</ref> It also marked the first time since 2005 that any South Korean artist performed in North Korea.<ref name=arttroupereturn /> Meanwhile, propaganda broadcasts stopped on both sides.<ref name="auto1"/> [[File:2018 inter-Korean summit square.jpg|thumb|Kim and Moon shake hands in greeting at the demarcation line.]] On 27 April, a [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit|summit]] took place between Moon and Kim in the South Korean zone of the [[Joint Security Area]] (JSA). It was the first time since the Korean War that a North Korean leader had entered South Korean territory.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/location-of-planned-inter-korean-summit-hints-at-changes-in-north-korea-strategy-say|title=Location of planned inter-Korean summit hints at changes in North Korea strategy, say experts|date=8 March 2018|access-date=24 March 2018|work=[[The Straits Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314170743/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/location-of-planned-inter-korean-summit-hints-at-changes-in-north-korea-strategy-say|archive-date=14 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in met at the line that divides Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/north-korea-south-korea-summit-intl/ |title=North Korea-South Korea summit: Live updates |work=[[CNN]]|date=5 June 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612212456/https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/north-korea-south-korea-summit-intl/ |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The summit ended with both countries pledging to work towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html|title=North and South Korea Set Bold Goals: A Final Peace and No Nuclear Arms|last=Sang-Hun|first=Choe|date=27 April 2018|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=27 April 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427094734/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/korean-leaders-aim-for-end-of-war-complete-denuclearisation-after-historic-summit-idUSKBN1HX2I6|title=Korean leaders aim for end of war, 'complete denuclearisation'...|last=Kim|first=Christine|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=27 April 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427095857/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/korean-leaders-aim-for-end-of-war-complete-denuclearisation-after-historic-summit-idUSKBN1HX2I6|archive-date=27 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> They also vowed to declare an official end to the Korean War within a year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html |title=North and South Korea Set Bold Goals: A Final Peace and No Nuclear Arms |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=27 April 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141435/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/27/world/asia/north-korea-south-kim-jong-un.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live |last1=Sang-Hun |first1=Choe }}</ref> As part of the [[Panmunjom Declaration]] which was signed by leaders of both countries, both sides also called for the end of longstanding military activities in the region of the Korean border and a reunification of Korea.<ref name=april272018 /> Also, the leaders agreed to work together to connect and modernise their railways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/04/27/north-korea-and-south-korea-make-pledge-to-connect-border-railways/|title=North Korea and South Korea make pledge to connect border railways – Global Rail News|date=27 April 2018|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608212812/https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/04/27/north-korea-and-south-korea-make-pledge-to-connect-border-railways/|archive-date=8 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 5 May, North Korea adjusted its time zone to match the South's.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44010705|title=North Korea changes its time zone to match South|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=5 May 2018|access-date=17 September 2021}}</ref> In May, South Korea began removing [[Korean Demilitarized Zone loudspeakers|propaganda loudspeakers]] from the border area in line with the Panmunjom Declaration.<ref>{{Citation|title=South Korea begins dismantling propaganda speakers – CNN Video|date=May 2018 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/01/south-north-korea-dmz-propaganda-loudspeakers-lon-orig-ejk.cnn|access-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174613/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/01/south-north-korea-dmz-propaganda-loudspeakers-lon-orig-ejk.cnn|archive-date=16 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Moon and Kim met a [[May 2018 inter-Korean summit|second time]] on 26 May to discuss Kim's upcoming summit with Trump.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/south-korean-president-met-north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-saturday-10280606 |title=North and South Korean leaders meet to discuss Kim-Trump summit |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |date=26 May 2018 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214233402/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-and-south-korean-leaders-meet-to-discuss-kim-trump-summit-10280606 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The summit led to further meetings between North and South Korean officials during June.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/full-address-by-south-korean-president-moon-jae-in-on-may-26-inter-korea-summit|title=Full address by South Korean President Moon Jae In on May 26 inter-Korea summit|newspaper=[[The Straits Times]]|date=27 May 2018}}</ref> On 1 June, officials from both countries agreed to move forward with the military and Red Cross talks.<ref name=june1>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/01/rival-koreas-agree-to-military-red-cross-talks-for-peace.html|title=Rival Koreas agree to military, Red Cross talks for peace|date=1 June 2018|publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref> They also agreed to reopen an [[Inter-Korean Liaison Office]] in Kaesong that the South had shut down in February 2016 after a North Korean nuclear test.<ref name=june1 /> The second meeting, involving the Red Cross and military, was held at North Korea's Mount Kumgang resort on 22 June where it was agreed that family reunions would resume.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/diplomacy/article/2152091/north-and-south-korea-confirm-family-reunions-will-resume-august|title=North and South Korea confirm family reunions will resume in August for the first time since 2015|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=22 June 2018|author=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref> After the summit in April, a summit between [[2018 North Korea–United States summit|US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un]] was held on 12 June 2018 in [[Singapore]]. South Korea hailed it as a success.<ref>{{cite web |title=South Korea hails Trump-Kim Singapore summit as 'talks of the century' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/south-korea-hails-trump-kim-singapore-summit-as-talks-of-the-10423218 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=17 December 2024 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614034500/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/south-korea-hails-trump-kim-singapore-summit-as-talks-of-the-10423218 |url-status=dead }}</ref> South Korea announced on 23 June 2018 that it would not conduct annual military exercises with the US in September, and would also stop its own drills in the Yellow Sea, in order to not provoke North Korea and to continue a peaceful dialog.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bowden |first1=John |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/393752-us-military-indefinitely-suspends-two-training-exercises-with-south-korea/ |title=US military indefinitely suspends two training exercises with South Korea | The Hill |work=The Hill |date=23 June 2018 |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628044341/http://thehill.com/policy/defense/393752-us-military-indefinitely-suspends-two-training-exercises-with-south-korea |archive-date=28 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 July 2018 South and North Korea have resumed ship-to-ship radio communication, which could prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korean military vessels around the [[Northern Limit Line]] (NLL) in the West (Yellow) Sea.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/851559.html|title=South and North Korea resume ship-to-ship radio communications after 10 years|date=2 July 2018|newspaper=[[The Hankyoreh]]|language=en}}</ref> On 17 July 2018, South and North Korea fully restored their military communication line on the western part of the peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=송상호 |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/07/17/0200000000AEN20180717003451315.html |title=(LEAD) Two Koreas fully restore western military communication line |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=17 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717054746/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/07/17/0200000000AEN20180717003451315.html |archive-date=17 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> South Korea and North Korea competed as [[Unified Korean sporting teams|"Korea"]] in some events at the [[2018 Asian Games]].<ref>{{cite news |title=North & South Korea agree to some combined teams at Asian Games |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/44517819 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203349/https://www.bbc.com/sport/44517819 |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The co-operation extended to the [[film industry]], with South Korea giving their approval to screen North Korean movies at the country's local festival while inviting several moviemakers from the latter.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea approves rare screening of North Korea movies at film festival |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-approves-rare-screening-of-north-korea-movies-at-film-festival |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=10 July 2018 |language=en |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710195003/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-approves-rare-screening-of-north-korea-movies-at-film-festival |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=North, South Korea agree to joint sports events and create combined teams for Asian Games |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-south-korea-agree-to-joint-sports-events-and-create-10443750 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710194529/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/north-south-korea-agree-to-joint-sports-events-and-create-10443750 |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=South Korean film industry forges closer ties with North Korea |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/south-korean-film-industry-forges-closer-ties-with-north-korea/5130798.article |work=Screen |language=en |access-date=10 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710132851/https://www.screendaily.com/news/south-korean-film-industry-forges-closer-ties-with-north-korea/5130798.article |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2018 reunions of families divided since the Korean War took place at Mount Kumgang in North Korea.<ref>{{cite news|title=Second group of separated Korean families meet for three-day reunion|url=https://www.nknews.org/2018/08/second-group-of-separated-korean-families-meet-for-three-day-reunion/|first=Dagyum|last=Ji|publisher=[[NK News]]|date=24 August 2018}}</ref> In September, at a [[September 2018 inter-Korean summit|summit with Moon]] in Pyongyang, Kim agreed to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons facilities if the United States took reciprocal action. In Pyongyang, an agreement titled the "Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018" was signed by both Korean leaders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/9/19/17878428/north-south-korea-kim-moon-declaration|title=North and South Korea just signed a major agreement. It may be bad news for Trump.|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=19 September 2018 }}</ref> The agreement calls for the removal of landmines, guard posts, weapons, and personnel in the JSA from both sides of the North-South Korean border.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1034057/koreas-agreed-to-disarm-border-village|title=Koreas agreed to disarm border village|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/moon-kim-sign-agreement-north-korea-steps-denuclearize/story?id=57925068|title=Moon, Kim sign agreement for North Korea to take further steps to denuclearize|first1=Joohee|last1=Cho|first2=Hakyung|last2=Kate Lee|date=19 September 2018|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=upisource>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/09/19/North-South-Korea-to-halt-military-drills-in-border-area/5211537339644/|title=North, South Korea to halt military drills in border area|first=Wooyoung|last=Lee|date=19 September 2018|work=United Press International|access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref> They also agreed that they would establish buffer zones on their borders to prevent clashes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-19/north-korea-agrees-to-dismanlte-nuclear-test-site/10282040|title=North Korea agrees to dismantle nuclear complex if United States takes reciprocal action, South says|publisher=ABC|date=19 September 2018}}</ref> Moon became the first South Korean leader to give a speech to the North Korean public when he addressed 150,000 spectators at the [[Arirang Festival]] on 19 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45578491|title=South Korea's Moon Jae-in makes unprecedented mass games speech|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Also during the September 2018 summit, military leaders from both countries signed an Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, Exchanges and Cooperation" (a.k.a. "the Basic Agreement") to help ensure less military tension between both countries and greater arms control.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/north-and-south-koreas-new-military-agreement/|title=North and South Korea's New Military Agreement|first=Sukjoon|last=Yoon|date=2 October 2018|magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/pyongyang-declaration-implications-us-rok-coordination-north-korea|title=The Pyongyang Declaration: Implications for U.S.-ROK Coordination on North Korea|first=Scott A.|last=Snyder|date=24 September 2018|publisher=[[Council on Foreign Relations]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/at-fifth-inter-korean-summit-koreas-announce-major-military-to-military-agreements/|title=At Fifth Inter-Korean Summit, Koreas Announce Major Military-to-Military Agreements|date=19 September 2018|first=Ankit|last=Panda|magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]}}</ref> On 23 October 2018, Moon ratified the Basic Agreement and Pyongyang Declaration just hours after they were approved by his cabinet.<ref name=oct23>{{Cite web |url=https://www.whig.com/article/20181023/AP/310239955#// |title=SKorea approves NKorea deals amid conservative opposition - Herald-Whig - |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116081302/https://www.whig.com/article/20181023/AP/310239955#// |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 30 November 2018, a South Korean train crossed the DMZ border with North Korea and stopped at [[Panmun Station]]. This was the first time a South Korean train had entered North Korean territory since 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46395408|title=South Korean train crosses DMZ into North Korea|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=30 November 2018}}</ref> == Moon–Kim diplomacy 2019–2022 == [[File:President Trump Meets with Chairman Kim Jong Un (48164813552).jpg|thumb|Trump, Kim and Moon at the demilitarized zone.]] ===2019=== On 30 June, Kim and Moon [[2019 Koreas–United States DMZ Summit|met again]] in the DMZ, joined by US President [[Donald Trump]] who initiated the meeting.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/30/trumps-press-secretary-bruised-after-jostling-with-north-korea-security-over-media-report-says/|title=Trump's press secretary bruised after jostling with North Korea security over media, report says|first=Hannah|last=Knowles|date=30 June 2019|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> The three held a [[2019 North Korea–United States DMZ Summit|meeting]] at the Inter-Korean House of Freedom.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> Meanwhile, North Korea conducted a series of short–range missile tests, and the US and South Korea took part in joint military drills in August. On 16 August 2019, North Korea's ruling party made a statement criticizing the South for participating in the drills and for buying US military hardware, calling it a "grave provocation" and saying there would be no more negotiation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/16/north-korea-fires-missiles-coast-says-talks-impudent-south/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/16/north-korea-fires-missiles-coast-says-talks-impudent-south/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=North Korea 'fires missiles off coast' and says talks with 'impudent' South are over|first=Nicola|last=Smith|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=16 August 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 5 August, South Korea's president Moon Jae-in spoke during a meeting with his senior aides at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, discussing Japan's imposed trade restrictions to Korea as a result of historical issues.<ref name="TONG-HYUNG">{{Cite web|last=TONG-HYUNG|first=KIM|date=5 August 2019|title=Moon calls for 'peace economy' with N. Korea, slams Japan|url=https://apnews.com/article/f09bce1130ec432fada58c58dc6e1f74|website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Moon then withdrew South Korea from an intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan, seeking a breakthrough with North Korea in the process, but opted against it at the last minute.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kelly|first=Robert E|date=2 December 2019|title=Moon Jae-in's foreign policy reorientation|url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/moon-jae-s-foreign-policy-reorientation}}</ref> In a meeting at Seoul's presidential Blue House in August 2019, amid an escalating trade row between South Korea and Japan, Moon expressed his willingness to cooperate economically with North Korea to overtake Japan's economy.<ref name="TONG-HYUNG"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Joyce|date=5 August 2019|title=South Korea says can overtake Japan through economic cooperation with North Korea|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-southkorea-japan-labourers-northkorea/south-korea-says-can-overtake-japan-through-economic-cooperation-with-north-korea-idUKKCN1UV0PD|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> On 15 October, North and South Korea played a [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifier in Pyongyang, their first football match in the North in 30 years. The game was played [[behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]] with attendance open only to a total of 100 North Korean government personnel; no fans or South Korean media were allowed into the stadium, and the game was not broadcast live. No goals were scored.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/16/north-south-korea-world-cup-qualifier|title=No fans, no media and no goals as Koreas play out World Cup qualifier in empty stadium|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=16 October 2019}}</ref> Meanwhile, Kim and Moon continued to have a close, respectful relationship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2019/10/kim-jong-un-sends-condolences-to-south-korean-president-over-mothers-passing/|title=Kim Jong Un sends condolences to South Korean President over mother's passing|first=Colin|last=Zwirko|publisher=[[NK News]]|date=31 October 2019}}</ref> The 2019 South Korea Defense White Paper does not label North Korea as an "enemy" or "threat" for the first time in history. While not explicitly calling North Korea an enemy, the paper mentions that North Korea's weapons of mass destruction threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 February 2021|title=Defense White Paper Avoids Directly Referring to N. Korea as Enemy|url=https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=159313}}</ref> ===2020=== On 9 June 2020, North Korea began cutting off all of its communication lines with South Korea. This came after Pyongyang had repeatedly warned Seoul regarding matters such as the failure of the South to stop North Korean expatriate activists from sending anti-regime propaganda leaflets across the border. The [[Korean Central News Agency]] described it as "the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea and get rid of unnecessary things".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5850431/north-korea-cuts-communication-leaflets/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609051842/https://time.com/5850431/north-korea-cuts-communication-leaflets/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 June 2020|title=North Korea Says It Is Cutting Communication Ties With the South Over Anti-Kim Leaflets|magazine=Time|date=8 June 2020|access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> The sister of Kim Jong Un, Kim Yo Jong, as well as the Vice Chair of the Central Committee of the ruling [[Workers' Party of Korea]], [[Kim Yong-chol|Kim Yong Chol]], stated that North Korea had begun to treat South Korea as its enemy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/north-korea-says-it-will-sever-hotlines-with-south-korea-kcna-idUSKBN23F2UG|title=North Korea to sever hotlines with South Korea in first step to cut contact|work=[[Reuters]]|date=8 June 2020|access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> A week prior to these actions, Kim Yo Jong had called North Korean defectors "human scum" and "mongrel dogs". The severing of communication lines substantially diminished the agreements that were made in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/north-korea-cutting-communication-channels-south-korea/|title=North Korea cuts communication channels with South as tension mounts|work=[[CBS News]]|date=9 June 2020|access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> On 13 June, Kim Yo Jong warned that "before long, a tragic scene of the useless North-South joint liaison office completely collapsed would be seen." On 16 June, the North threatened to return troops that had been withdrawn from the border to posts where they had been previously stationed. Later that day, the joint liaison office in Kaesong was blown up by the North Korean government. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Korean delegation had departed from the building in January.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/16/world/asia/north-korea-explosion-liaison-office.html North Korea Blows Up Liaison Office Shared With South Korea], ''[[The New York Times]]'', Choe Sang-hun, 16 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.</ref> On 5 June 2020, the North Korean foreign minister [[Ri Son-gwon|Ri Son Gwon]] said that prospects for peace between North and South Korea, and the U.S., had "faded away into a dark nightmare".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/12/world/asia/korea-nuclear-trump-kim.html Two Years After Trump-Kim Meeting, Little to Show for Personal Diplomacy], ''[[The New York Times]]'', David E. Sanger and Choe Sang-hun, 12 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.</ref> On 21 June 2020, South Korea urged North Korea to not send propaganda leaflets across the border. The request followed the North's statement that it was ready to send 12 million leaflets, which could potentially become the largest psychological campaign against South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/b0d2d82dbcbe823f49d4e4d8fa5e432a|title= S Korea urges North not to send leaflets amid high tensions |access-date=21 June 2020|work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> On 14 December 2020, the South Korean parliament passed a law which criminalized the launching of propaganda leaflets into North Korea.<ref name=propagandaban>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea/south-korea-bans-anti-north-leaflets-defector-says-he-wont-stop-idUSKBN28O1OI|title=South Korea bans anti-North leaflets; defector says he won't stop|first=Hyonhee|last=Shin|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=14 December 2020|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> This ban applies to not only the large amount of balloon propaganda leaflets which have been sent into North Korea over the years, but also leaflets that have been sent in bottles in rivers which run along the Korean border.<ref name=propagandaban /> Violators of the law, which went into effect three months after it was approved,<ref name=propagandaban /> face up to three years in prison or 30 million won ($27,400) in fines.<ref name=propagandaban /> ===2021=== In February–March 2021, South Korea continued to omit North Korea's "enemy" status from the South Korean military's White Paper after downgrading the status of Japan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/02/88ee18239cdf-s-korea-downgrades-japans-status-in-defense-white-paper.html|title=South Korea "downgrades" Japan's status in defense white paper|publisher=[[Kyodo News]]|language=en|date=2 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/02/02/south-korea-downgrades-japans-status-in-defense-white-paper.html|title=South Korea "downgrades" Japan's status in defense white paper|newspaper=[[The Jakarta Post]]|date=2 February 2021}}</ref> In a statement made on 4 October 2021, South Korea's [[Ministry of Unification|Unification Ministry]] announced that communication lines between North and South Korea have been restored. The reopening followed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's vow to restart communication with South Korea. The two countries' militaries have also restored their hotline along the east and west coasts, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Jake Kwon and Maija Ehlinger|title=North Korea reopens communication and military hotline with South|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/03/asia/north-korea-south-korea-intl/index.html|access-date=7 October 2021|website=[[CNN]]|date=3 October 2021 }}</ref> ===Artistic depictions=== ''[[Crash Landing on You]]'' ({{Korean|사랑의 불시착||Sarangui Bulsichak|Sarangŭi pulshich'ak|lit="Love's Emergency Landing"}}) was a 2019–2020 South Korean [[Korean drama|television series]] directed by Lee Jeong-hyeo and featuring [[Hyun Bin]], [[Son Ye-jin]], [[Kim Jung-hyun (actor, born 1990)|Kim Jung-hyun]], and [[Seo Ji-hye]]. It is about a South Korean woman who accidentally crash-lands in North Korea. It aired on [[TVN (South Korean TV channel)|tvN]] in South Korea and on [[Netflix]] worldwide from 14 December 2019 to 16 February 2020.<ref name=crashes>{{cite web |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/cross-border-love-story-crash-landing-on-you-crashes-south-korea-tv-ratings |title=Cross-border love story 'Crash Landing on You' crashes South Korea TV ratings |access-date=16 February 2020 |date=16 February 2020 |work=[[The Straits Times]]}}</ref><ref name=conversation0220>{{cite web |url=http://theconversation.com/crash-landing-on-you-korean-drama-crosses-the-north-south-divide-132140 |title=Crash Landing on You: Korean drama crosses the north-south divide |access-date=26 February 2020 |last=Son |first=Sarah A. |date=25 February 2020 |publisher=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] }}</ref> ''[[Ashfall (film)|Ashfall]]'' ({{korean|hangul=백두산|hanja=白頭山|rr=Baekdusan}}), also known as: ''Mount Paektu'', was a 2019 South Korean [[action film]] directed by Lee Hae-jun and Kim Byung-seo, starring [[Lee Byung-hun]], [[Ha Jung-woo]], [[Ma Dong-seok]], [[Bae Suzy]] and [[Jeon Hye-jin (actress, born 1976)|Jeon Hye-jin]]. The film was released in December 2019 in South Korea.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/609/0000205715|script-title=ko:총 겨눈 이병헌vs하정우 '백두산' 폭발급 긴장감 |date=20 November 2019|newspaper=[[Naver]]|access-date=22 November 2019|language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mengnews.joins.com/view.aspx?aid=3070512|title='Ashfall' brings new threat to Seoul: a volcano: Disaster movie asks what people will do to protect their loved ones|date=20 November 2019|newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]]|access-date=25 November 2019|language=en}}</ref> In the film, the volcano of Baekdu Mountain suddenly erupts, causing severe earthquakes in both North and South Korea. == Resumption of hostilities under Yoon Suk Yeol's government == === 2021 === During his election campaign in 2021, [[Yoon Suk Yeol]] said that he would ask that the United States to redeploy [[tactical nuclear weapons]] in South Korea if there is a threat from North Korea.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yoon says he will request redeployment of U.S. tactical nukes in case of emergency |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210922005300320 |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |date=22 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Japan and Korea Mark Lambert rejected Yoon's call, saying said the proposal was against U.S. policy.<ref name="VOA Yoon Nukes">{{cite news |last1=Gallo |first1=William |title=US Rules Out Redeploying Tactical Nukes to South Korea |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-rules-out-redeploying-tactical-nukes-to-south-korea/6243767.html |access-date=24 September 2021 |work=VOA |date=24 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> === 2022 === In November 2022, a US-South Korean air force exercise named ''Vigilant Storm'' was countered by North Korea by missile tests and an air force exercise.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/north-south-korea-tensions-military-border/101619542|title=North Korea flies 180 military aircraft near South Korean border as Seoul scrambles warplanes|publisher=ABC|date=4 November 2022}}</ref> === 2023 === In November 2023, both the Koreas suspended the Comprehensive Agreement Pact - a pact aimed at lowering tensions between the two countries - which was signed at the [[September 2018 inter-Korean summit]], after North Korea launched a spy satellite into space.<ref>{{cite news |title=North Korea fully suspends military pact with South |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67504866 |agency=BBC}}</ref> === 2024 === On 15 January 2024, Kim Jong Un announced that peaceful reunification was no longer possible and proposed identifying South Korea as a hostile state in the North Korean constitution. It was also announced that North Korea would dissolve the [[Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland]], the National Economic Cooperation Bureau and the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Administration.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/16/unification-with-south-korea-no-longer-possible-says-kim-jong-un|title=Unification with South Korea no longer possible, says Kim Jong-un|publisher=Guardian|date=15 January 2024}}</ref> The [[Arch of Reunification]] in Pyongyang was subsequently demolished in January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Korea Demolishes Monument Symbolising Union With South: Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/north-korea-demolishes-monument-symbolising-union-with-south-report-4917750 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-23 |title=Kim Jong Un: Is North Korea's leader actually considering war?|work=[[BBC News]]|first=Frances|last=Mao |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68052515 |access-date=2024-01-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 4 June 2024, South Korea's State Council terminated the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration due to border tensions over balloons sent by North Korea.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-04 |title=South Korea is suspending a military deal with North Korea after tensions over trash balloons|work=[[AP News]]|first=Hyung|last=Jin Kim|url=https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-south-korea-balloons-military-agreement-e98754a2d25b38cc501eefb46015cb98 |access-date=2024-06-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 9 June 2024, South Korea announced to resume loudspeaker broadcasts of anti-North Korean propaganda after Pyongyang sent over 300 rubbish-filled balloons across the border. Seoul's military detected around 330 balloons since 8 June 2024, with about 80 found in South Korean territory. The president's office stated that the broadcasts aimed to deliver messages of hope to the North Korean military and citizens. This response followed weeks of activists in the South launching balloons carrying K-pop, [[United States dollar|dollar bills]], and anti-Kim Jong-un propaganda, which had infuriated Pyongyang. The loudspeaker broadcasts resumed after South Korea suspended a 2018 tension-easing agreement, allowing for propaganda campaigns and potential military exercises near the border.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea to resume propaganda broadcasts after North sends hundreds more rubbish balloons |date=9 June 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/09/south-korea-to-resume-propaganda-broadcasts-after-north-sends-hundreds-more-rubbish-balloons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609070344/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/09/south-korea-to-resume-propaganda-broadcasts-after-north-sends-hundreds-more-rubbish-balloons |archive-date=9 June 2024 |access-date=9 June 2024}}</ref> South Korea announced it would deploy laser weapons in 2024 to shoot down North Korean drones, becoming the first country to do so. Developed with [[Hanwha Aerospace]], these inexpensive and invisible lasers enhance defense capabilities by burning down drone engines within seconds. The move follows a December 2023 incident where North Korean drones entered South Korean airspace.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park |first=Ju-min |title=South Korea to deploy 'StarWars' laser weapons targeting North Korean drones |date=11 July 2024 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-deploy-starwars-laser-weapons-targeting-north-korean-drones-2024-07-11/ |access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref> On 26 August 2024, North Korea revealed a new "suicide drone," with Kim Jong Un overseeing tests, according to state media. These drones, possibly acquired from [[Russia]] and strongly resembling the [[ZALA Lancet]], are capable of striking targets on land and sea, raising security concerns for South Korea.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Joyce |date=2024-08-26 |title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees tests of 'suicide drones' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-oversees-drone-test-2024-08-25/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=North Korea tests 'suicide drones' for military use, state media says |url=https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2024-08-25/north-korea-suicide-drone-test-14977420.html |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Stars and Stripes |language=en}}</ref> On 13 October 2024, North Korea threatened South Korea with 'severe consequences' if drones entered Pyongyang's airspace again, following accusations of recent drone activity. Although [[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|South Korea's defense minister]] refuted these claims, the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea)|Joint Chiefs of Staff]] stated they couldn't fully verify the incidents.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2024 |title=North Korea warns South of 'horrible disaster' if its drones found again |newspaper=Anadolu Ajansi |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/north-korea-warns-south-of-horrible-disaster-if-its-drones-found-again/3360366# |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref> On 15 October 2024, North Korea destroyed the road connecting North and South Korea. South Korea predicts that North Korea intends to demonstrate a complete severance between the two Koreas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=권혁철 |date=2024-10-15 |title=북, 경의·동해선 남북 연결도로 폭파…합참 "대응 사격" [영상] |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/defense/1162605.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=한겨레 |language=ko}}</ref> However, given that South Korea provided $125 million to North Korea for the construction of this road, South Korea is considering demanding repayment from North Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |last=양소연 |date=2024-11-18 |title=통일부 "경의선·동해선 육로 폭파한 북한에 건설 비용 상환 조처 검토" |url=https://imnews.imbc.com/news/2024/politics/article/6657378_36431.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=MBC 뉴스 |language=ko}}</ref> On 24 October 2024, North Korean balloons carrying propaganda leaflets targeting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady [[Kim Keon-hee|Kim Keon Hee]] were found in Seoul, amid rising tensions between the two Koreas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 October 2024 |title=North Korea propaganda leaflets found in Seoul attack South Korea's first couple |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-propaganda-leaflets-found-seoul-attack-south-koreas-first-couple-2024-10-24/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> On 11 December 2024, North Korea released its first statements on the [[2024 South Korean martial law|martial law declaration]] through an article published in the state newspaper ''[[Rodong Sinmun]]'', describing it as an "insane act" that was "akin to the coup d'état of the decades-ago military dictatorship era". It also described the incident "revealed the weakness in South Korean society" and hinted at the end of Yoon's political career. The newspaper also published images of anti-Yoon protests in Seoul.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2024 |title=N Korea mocks 'dictator' Yoon's 'insane' martial law attempt |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx26eglgn3wo |access-date=11 December 2024 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-reports-south-koreas-martial-law-crisis-first-time-2024-12-10/ |date=10 December 2024|title= North Korea reports South Korea's martial law crisis for first time|website=Reuters|access-date= 11 December 2024|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://thediplomat.com/2024/12/how-north-korea-views-yoons-declaration-of-martial-law/ |date=11 December 2024|title= How North Korea Views Yoon's Declaration of Martial Law |website=The Diplomat|access-date= 11 December 2024|author=Mitch Shin|language=en-US}}</ref> === 2025 === On 28 February 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a strategic cruise missile test and ordered full nuclear readiness, state media reported. The test aimed to demonstrate the country's nuclear capabilities in response to perceived threats. While [[cruise missile]]s are not banned under U.N. resolutions, North Korea continues to face sanctions for its [[ballistic missile]] and nuclear programs. This test occurred as Kim emphasized military loyalty and training, continuing his hostile rhetoric toward South Korea and the U.S. despite past diplomatic engagements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Jack |date=28 February 2025 |editor-last=Wallis |editor-first=Daniel |editor2-last=Coates |editor2-first=Stephen |title=North Korea's Kim orders nuclear readiness after missile test, KCNA says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-says-it-is-duty-be-fully-ready-use-nuclear-deterrence-kcna-says-2025-02-27/ |access-date=4 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> North Korea continued to criticize the joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, particularly the "Freedom Shield" exercises that began on 10 March and ran until 20 March.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2025 |title=North Korea criticises US, South Korea joint military drills |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-criticises-us-south-korea-joint-military-drills-2025-03-06/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> North Korea condemned these drills, viewing them as provocative and worsening tensions on the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]]. In response, North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on 10 March, with state media claiming that these exercises would deteriorate the situation.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=10 March 2025 |title=North Korea fires ballistic missiles, South Korea says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/seven-hurt-south-korea-after-shell-lands-civilian-area-during-military-drills-2025-03-06/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=North Korea fires several ballistic missiles after the US and South Korea began military drills |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-us-drills-freedom-shield-bombing-pocheon-d3e285e1b0a6a15cb9edbf2613013582 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> North Korea also appeared close to completing its first airborne early warning aircraft, a significant military development that would enhance its surveillance capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=North Korea appears close to completing its first airborne early warning aircraft |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-airborne-early-warning-aircraft-d3281216b25f8eedec134fcf43e7add9# |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> == Lee Jae-myung's presidency (2025–present) == === 2025 === On 11 June 2025, newly [[2025 South Korean presidential election|elected]] South Korean president [[Lee Jae-myung]] ordered the [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces|Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROKA)]] to halt [[loudspeaker]] broadcasts and [[propaganda]] across the border with [[North Korea]] in an attempt to ease [[Hostility|hostilities]] and tensions between the two nations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-11 |title=South Korea halts propaganda broadcasts along border with rival North in a move to ease tensions |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-border-north-tensions-2ba545996b3daf1a9f81e23685792c11 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> North Korea rejected the overtures in July and stated that it had no interest in talks with South Korea.<ref>cnn.com: [https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/28/asia/north-korea-kim-sister-south-enemy-intl-hnk ''Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister says talks with US possible if Washington drops denuclearization demand'']</ref><ref>[https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/north-korea-has-no-interest-in-talking-to-lee-jae-myung/ thediplomat.com] July 28, 2025</ref> Despite this, during the [[2025 China Victory Day Parade]], South Korean National Assembly Speaker [[Woo Won-shik]] met with North Korean leader [[Kim Jong Un]] and the two shook hands and had a brief conversation. According to Woo's entourage, Woo said "We met again after 7 years" (referring to the [[2018 inter-Korean summit]]) and Kim replied with the single word "yes".<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last1=Park |first1=Ju-min |last2=Lee |first2=Joyce |date=3 September 2025 |title=North Korea's Kim and South Korean parliament speaker shake hands in Beijing |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/north-koreas-kim-south-korean-parliament-speaker-shake-hands-beijing-2025-09-03/ |access-date=5 September 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref> Woo also met with [[Vladimir Putin]] and Putin asked Woo if there is any message he can relay to Kim, with Woo responding by saying that it is important to build peace in the [[Korean Peninsula]] despite difficulties.<ref name=":5" /> ==See also== {{Portal|North Korea|South Korea|Politics}} * [[Korean conflict]] * [[List of border incidents involving North and South Korea]] * [[North Korea–South Korea football rivalry]] * [[Cross-strait relations]] * [[Hong Kong–mainland China relations]] * [[Inner German relations]] * [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] * [[Israeli–Lebanese conflict]] * [[Iran–Israel relations]] * [[India–Pakistan relations]] * [[Russia–Ukraine relations]] * [[Cambodia–Thailand relations]] * [[India–Sri Lanka relations]] * [[Russia–United States relations]] ==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="Choe 2014">{{cite news |title=Amid Hugs and Tears, Korean Families Divided by War Reunite |first= Sang-Hun|last= Choe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/asia/north-and-south-koreans-meet-in-emotional-family-reunions.htmlarch |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=20 February 2014 |access-date= 12 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221091325/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/world/asia/north-and-south-koreans-meet-in-emotional-family-reunions.html |archive-date=21 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> }} ==External links== {{Commons category|Relations of North Korea and South Korea}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060721051800/http://www.cfr.org/publication/4642/interkorean_relations.html Inter-Korean Relations: Past, Present and Future (Introduction) – cfr.org] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080209000953/http://www.cfr.org/publication/12498/interkorean_relations.html Inter-Korean Relations: Past, Present and Future (Panel 1) – cfr.org] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011170250/http://vuw.ac.nz/~caplabtb/dprk/NK_SK.htm ROK and Inter-Korean relations] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214195842/http://www.fpa.org/newsletter_info2569/newsletter_info.htm Eating the Oxen of the Sun – The Odyssey of Unification] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120402003156/http://www.reseau-asie.com/article-en/months-articles-archive/reseau-asie-s-editorial/inter-korean-tensions-alain-nass/ Inter-Korean tensions: ideology first, at any cost? by Alain Nass (expert on Asia and Korea), Asia & Pacific Network, October 2011] * Research Council on Unification Policy [http://www.tongmoon.or.kr/main/tongmoon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021173351/http://www.tongmoon.or.kr/main/tongmoon |date=21 October 2018 }} * Korea Institute of national unification [http://www.kinu.or.kr/main/kinu] * [[Brookings Institution]] [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/north-korea-the-problem-that-wont-go-away/] * [https://www.nytimes.com/topic/destination/north-korea ''New York Times'' on North Korea] {{North Korea–South Korea relations}} {{Foreign relations of North Korea}} {{Foreign relations of South Korea}} {{Korea topics}} {{Korean War}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:North Korea-South Korea Relations}} [[Category:North Korea–South Korea relations| ]] [[Category:Bilateral relations of North Korea|South Korea]] [[Category:Bilateral relations of South Korea]]
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to Eurovision Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see
Eurovision Wiki:Copyrights
for details).
Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Pages included on this page:
Template:Authority control
(
edit
)
Template:Cbignore
(
edit
)
Template:Citation
(
edit
)
Template:Cite book
(
edit
)
Template:Cite magazine
(
edit
)
Template:Cite news
(
edit
)
Template:Cite web
(
edit
)
Template:Commons category
(
edit
)
Template:DMC
(
edit
)
Template:Dated maintenance category
(
edit
)
Template:FULLROOTPAGENAME
(
edit
)
Template:First word
(
edit
)
Template:Foreign relations of North Korea
(
edit
)
Template:Foreign relations of South Korea
(
edit
)
Template:Infobox Korean name/auto
(
edit
)
Template:Infobox bilateral relations
(
edit
)
Template:Korea topics
(
edit
)
Template:Korean
(
edit
)
Template:Korean War
(
edit
)
Template:Main
(
edit
)
Template:Main other
(
edit
)
Template:Mbox
(
edit
)
Template:Merge partner
(
edit
)
Template:Merge to
(
edit
)
Template:North Korea–South Korea relations
(
edit
)
Template:Ns has subpages
(
edit
)
Template:Pagelist
(
edit
)
Template:Pagetype
(
edit
)
Template:Portal
(
edit
)
Template:Reflist
(
edit
)
Template:Reflist/styles.css
(
edit
)
Template:SDcat
(
edit
)
Template:SHORTDESC:
(
edit
)
Template:See also
(
edit
)
Template:Short description
(
edit
)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck
(
edit
)
Template:Use dmy dates
(
edit
)
Template:Webarchive
(
edit
)
Template:YouTube
(
edit
)
Module:Arguments
(
edit
)
Module:Check for unknown parameters
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist
(
edit
)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css
(
edit
)
Module:Format link
(
edit
)
Module:Hatnote
(
edit
)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css
(
edit
)
Module:Hatnote list
(
edit
)
Module:Labelled list hatnote
(
edit
)
Module:Message box
(
edit
)
Module:Message box/ambox.css
(
edit
)
Module:Message box/configuration
(
edit
)
Module:Ns has subpages
(
edit
)
Module:Pagelist
(
edit
)
Module:Pagetype
(
edit
)
Module:Pagetype/config
(
edit
)
Module:Pagetype/setindex
(
edit
)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect
(
edit
)
Module:Portal
(
edit
)
Module:Portal/styles.css
(
edit
)
Module:String
(
edit
)
Module:Unsubst
(
edit
)
Module:Webarchive
(
edit
)
Module:Webarchive/data
(
edit
)
Module:Wikitext Parsing
(
edit
)
Module:Yesno
(
edit
)
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Page
Discussion
English
Views
Read
Edit
Edit source
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Recent changes
Random page
Help about MediaWiki
Special pages
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Page information