A history of clashes in the Korean peninsula

North and South Korea never signed a peace treaty after their war in the 1950s, so they technically remain at war

The Korean peninsula in Eastern Asia, extending south from the Asian continent for about 1,100 km, is politically divided into North and South Koreas. The two countries have technically remained ‘at war’ since their battle in the 1950s, because no peace treaty was signed at the end of it.

Here is a quick look at the history of differences between the two neighbours.

The Korean peninsula

North Korea extends from China South to the 38th parallel of latitude, while South extends from that area and encompasses the rest of the peninsula.

Historically, the Korean peninsula, occupied only by Korea, was ruled by several dynasties, the Japanese and the Chinese. From 1910 to 1945, for example, Korea was controlled by the Japanese and mostly controlled from Tokyo as part of the Empire of Japan.

A little before the end of the World War II, the erstwhile Soviet Union (USSR) declared a war on Japan. By August 10, 1945, it had occupied the northern part of the peninsula. At the end of the war, Korea was divided into two parts at the 38th parallel by the Allies at the Potsdam Conference. It was decided that the US would administrate the southern part, while the USSR would control the North.

With this division began a long story of conflicts between the two Koreas. North followed the USSR and took to communism, while South opposed this form of government and formed a strong anti-communist, capitalist government. In July of 1948, the anti-communist southern region drafted a constitution and thereafter held its national elections, mostly marred by terrorist activities.

On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially founded and Syngman Rhee was elected its President. Later, the USSR established a Communist North Korean government called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), with Kim Il-Sung as its leader.

Once the two Koreas were formally established, Rhee and Il-Sung worked to reunify Korea. This, though, caused conflicts; each wanted to unify the area under his own political system. Besides, North Korea was supported by the USSR and China, and fighting along the border of North and South Korea was common.

More recently, tensions again erupted between the two neighbours when two South Korean soldiers were wounded by landmines in the demilitarised zone (DMZ) last week. According to South Korean broadcaster Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), the North’s shells targeted a military loudspeaker airing anti-Pyongyang propaganda across the border. North Korea has repeatedly demanded the removal of such loudspeakers, calling those provocative.

According to the South Korean defence ministry, following the exchange of fire, North reiterated its demands — “the propaganda must cease within 48 hours or military action will ensue”. Such clashes in the Korean Peninsula are hardly new. The two countries had not signed a peace treaty after their war in the 1950s, so they technically remain at war to this day. In spite of a ceasefire, tensions have erupted regularly.

Here is a timeline of clashes between the two Koreas, based on a detailed article written by Moira Lavelle and published on www.pri.org:

June 1950 : A war between North and South Korea begins, with help from the Soviet Union and China on one side, and the US and the UN on the other.

July 1953 : The Korean war ends with signing of a ceasefire agreement. DMZ is created to separate the two countries.

October 1966 : The Korean DMZ conflict begins as troops from both countries invade the demilitarised zone and engage in skirmishes.

January 1968 : North Korean commandos attempt to assassinate South Korean President Park Chung-Hee and are stopped just a few hundred yards from his residence.

August 1974 : There is another assassination bid on President Park Chung-Hee by a North Korean commando in Seoul. First Lady Chung-Hee is killed.

April 1996 : North Korea sends thousands of military troops into DMZ as it announces it will no longer adhere to the armistice of 1953.

June 1999 : Known as the Battle of Yeonpyeong, North Korean patrol ships cross the disputed maritime border, leading to clashes between several ships. At least 20 North Korean military personnel are killed.

June 2002 : Two North Korean boats again cross the maritime border in the Yellow Sea, engage South Korean patrol ships and are quickly forced to retreat. About 30 North Koreans and four South Koreans are killed.

October 2007 : South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun walks across the Korean DMZ for talks with Kim Jong-Il. The talks call for peace on the Korean peninsula and an update to the 1953 armistice.

November 2009 : The two sides exchange fire near the maritime border for the first time in seven years.

March 2010 : A South Korean naval vessel sinks, killing 46 sailors on board. A month later, South Korean researchers conclude the cause was a North Korean torpedo.

November 2010 : North Korea shells Yeonpyeong island near the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea, killing two South Korean marines and two citizens. South Korea returns fire using fighter jets.

March 2014 : Two drones, apparently from North Korea, are found carrying pictures of South Korean government buildings, in South Korea.

October 2014:  There is exchange of fire between two patrol boats in the Yellow Sea. Days later, there is more fire as balloons, allegedly carrying anti-North pamphlets, are gunned down.

August 2015 : The two countries blare propaganda over DMZ. Artillery fire is exchanged.