Korea fact box: sixty five years of conflict between North and South Korea.
1945 - Korea divided between occupying US and Soviet forces, initially under UN auspices, after removal of Japanese occupation forces at the end of World War Two. Koreans not consulted on the division.
1948 - Korea divided into pro-Soviet Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, and pro-American Republic of Korea in the south. Soviet forces leave North Korea.
1949 - US troops withdraw from South Korea
1950 - Republic of Korea recognized by UN as sole legitimate government of Korea.
Korean war breaks out on June 25 as North Korean troops invade the south.
1953 - Armistice signed, but no peace treaty, after three-year war involving intervention by UN forces including soldiers from US on Southern side, and Chinese forces on the Northern side. Nation divided at 38th parallel.
1969 - North Korea obtains first tactical missiles from USSR.
1974 - North Korea obtains Scud ballistic missiles from Egypt.
1979 - South Korea begins transition to democratic government under President Chun Doo-hwan after succession of military led governments.
1977-1983 - Japanese citizens allegedly kidnapped and taken to North Korea by Northern agents. North later admits abductions took place.
1988 - First two-way trade ties legalized by South Korea. Olympic Games take place in South.
1991 - North and South Korea join United Nations.
1991 - US removes last tactical nuclear weapons from South Korea.
1994 - Kim Il-sung, founder of DPRK, dies aged 82 and is succeeded by son Kim Jong-il. North Korea begins nuclear program according to US State Department.
2006 - North Korea explodes first experimental nuclear device and test fires long range Taepodong ballistic missile.
2008 - Lee Myung-bak elected as President of South Korea.
2010 - South Korean warship sunk in March after torpedo explosion, killing 46 sailors. South Korea blames North for attack by submarine.
2010 - Kim Jong-un emerges as likely future successor to his father Kim Jong-Il at 65th anniversary congress of Korean Workers' Party.
