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Soviet troops occupying the North
1945 - After World War II, Japanese occupation of Korea ends with Soviet troops occupying the north, and US troops the south -
North Korea's Communist Party (Korean Workers' Party - KWP) introduced.
North Korea's Communist Party (Korean Workers' Party - KWP) introduced. Soviet-backed leadership installed, including Red Army-trained Kim Il-sung. -
Democratic People's Republic of Korea proclaimed.
Soviet troops withdraw. -
North Korean forces launch a massive surprise attack and invade South Korea
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Leader Kim Il-sung dies.
Kim Jong-il, Kim’s eldest son, assumes power in the only hereditary transition in Communist history. -
he UN Commission on Human Rights condems North Korea’s poor human rights record
The UN Commission on Human Rights adopts a third consecutive resolution condemning North Korea’s poor human rights record, calling for North Korea to end its “systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights.”North Korea’s famine has killed more than two-and-a-half million people, or ten percent of North Korea’s population -
Eleven months after the North Korea Human Rights Act became law
Eleven months after the North Korea Human Rights Act became law, presidential appointee Jay Lefkowitz takes office as the Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights. Congress has yet to appropriate the funding authorized in the Act. -
The UN General Assembly passes a resolution condemning North Korea for its human rights abuses
The UN General Assembly passes a resolution condemning North Korea for its human rights abuses. South Korea abstains for the fourth year in a row. -
North Korea orders the UN World Food Program to cease its humanitarian operations
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Kim Jong-il dies.
Kim Jong-un presides at his funeral, is hailed as "Great Successor" and takes over from his father as chariman of the National Defence Commission. He is expected to take over the ruling party leadership early in 2012.