Proclamation and International Recognition of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948–1950)

1. Korea divided into Soviet and U.S. zones

   Aug 15, 1945Labels: Soviet Union, United States, 38th Parallel

   • Britannica
   • AP Timeline

2. UN creates UNTCOK to oversee elections

   Nov 14, 1947Labels: United Nations, UNTCOK

   • UNTCOK
   • Springer

3. South holds UN-supervised parliamentary elections

   May 10, 1948Labels: Republic of, National Assembly

   • KCC
   • UNTCOK

4. Republic of Korea is formally proclaimed

   Aug 15, 1948Labels: Republic of, Seoul

   • KCC
   • Springer

5. North Korea elects its first Supreme People’s Assembly

   Aug 25, 1948Labels: Supreme People, North Korea

   • 1st SPA
   • Springer

6. Supreme People’s Assembly adopts DPRK constitution

   Sep 2, 1948Labels: DPRK constitution, Supreme People

   • 1st SPA
   • SPA

7. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is proclaimed

   Sep 9, 1948Labels: Democratic People, Kim Il

   • Britannica
   • SPA
   • Springer

8. Soviet occupation forces withdraw from North Korea

   Dec 1, 1948Labels: Soviet Union, North Korea

   • Britannica
   • Truman Lib

9. UN recognizes ROK as only lawful Korean government

   Dec 12, 1948Labels: United Nations, Republic of

   • UN Record
   • UNCOK

10. U.S. completes withdrawal of combat troops from Korea

    Jun 30, 1949Labels: United States, South Korea

    • Truman Lib
    • CIA FOIA

11. DPRK and PRC exchange diplomatic recognition

    Oct 6, 1949Labels: DPRK, People s

    • China DPRK
    • PRC Ties

12. North Korean forces invade South Korea

    Jun 25, 1950Labels: North Korea, Invasion of

    • Britannica
    • Britannica
    • Eisenhower