Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 41B; SOUTH KOREA; COUNTRY PROFILE CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080005-2.pdf/27



1910 August
 * Korea is formally annexed by Japan, ending 500-year rule of Yi dynasty.

1943 December
 * China, the United Kingdom, and the United States assert in Cairo that "in one due course Korea shall become free and independent."

1945 August
 * U.S.S.R. enters war against Japan. Allies order Japanese in Korea to surrender to Soviet forces north of 38th parallel and to U.S. forces south of it.

December
 * The United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and the United States agree at Moscow on "reestablishment of Korea as an independent state" following a period of trusteeship by the United States, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R., and China; China subsequently concurs.

1946 March
 * U.S.-Soviet Joint Commission is established to assist in forming a provisional Korean government; discussions lead to deadlock on major problems.

1948 May
 * U.N.-supervised elections are held in South Korea but rejected by Communists in North Korea.

August
 * Republic of Korea is established in the south, with Syngman Rhee (Yi Sung-man) as first President.

September
 * Democratic People's Republic of Korea is established in the north, with Kim Il-song as Premier.

December
 * U.N. General Assembly declares the Republic of Korea the legitimate government in South Korea.
 * Soviet Troops are evacuated from North Korea.

1949 June
 * All U.S. troops are withdrawn from South Korea except for a small military training mission.

1950 June
 * North Korean forces invade South Korea.

October
 * U.N. forces cross 38th parallel in pursuit of North Korean forces; Chinese Communist forces intervene.

1953 July
 * Armistice agreement between U.N. Command and North Korean-Chinese Communist side signed at P'anmunjom.

October
 * United States-Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is signed.

1954 April-May
 * "Geneva principles," as a basis for settlement of overall Korean question, formulated at Geneva Conference of Korea.

1955 May
 * Rhee reelected President for third term, but opposition leader Chang Myon (John M. Chang) defeats Rhee's running mate for vice presidency.

1968 March
 * President Rhee and Liberal Party gain sweeping victory by rigging elections.

April
 * Student demonstrations in Seoul against election rigging lead to violence and declaration of martial law; Rhee resigns and Foreign MInister Ho Chong becomes acting president.

June
 * National Assembly passes constitutional amendment adopting parliamentary form of government.

August
 * Yun Po-son becomes President and Chang Myon becomes Prime Minister of Second Republic, following Democratic Party victory in general elections.

1961 May
 * Military junta led by Maj. Gen. Pak Chong-hui and Col. Kim Chong-p'il seizes government in bloodless coup.

June Supreme Council for National Reconstruction assumes all executive and legislative power. 22