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1948
Democratic People's Republic of Korea proclaimed. Soviet troops withdraw -
Period: to
1948
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1950
South declares independence , sparking North Korean invasion. -
1953
Armistice ends Korean War, which has cost two million lives. -
1960
Rapid indstrial growth -
1980
Kim Il-sung's son, Kim Jong-il, moves up party and political ladder -
1991
North and South Korea join the United Nation . -
1994
Death of Kim Il-sung. Kim Jong-il succeeds him as leader, but doesnt take presidential tital. North Korea agrees to freeze nuclear proramme in return for $5bn worth of free fuel and two nuclear reactors. -
1995
US formally agrees to help provide two modern nuclear reactors designed to produce less weapons-grade plutonium. -
1998
The late Kim-Il-song declared "eternal president" , while Kim Jong-il's powers widened to encompass head of state. -
2000
Summit in Pyongang between Kim Jong-il and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Nort stops propaganda broadcasts against the South. -
2011
December-Kim Jong-il died