The History of North Korea - 2000s

The history of North Korea this past decade has seen the DPRK in the world's spotlight on several occasions. For the first time in the post World War II history of the Korean peninsula, presidents from the South visited North Korea.

In 2000, for the first time ever, a South Korean president went to the DPRK. In June 2000 Kim Dae-jung (left image below) flew into Pyongyang meeting with Kim Jong Il. His "Sunshine Policy" of being friendly with the DPRK contributed to his earning of a Nobel Peace Prize that same year.

On October 2nd 2007 Roh Moo-hyun (right image above) became the second president of South Korea in going to the DPRK, the first one to actually walk over the border. Talks were held regarding peace and reunification in the peninsula.

In February 2008 Lee Myung-bak, a more conservative and pro-American president, entered the Blue House in Seoul. Relations between the North and South have not been as cordial since. There are however several special zones where South Korean companies employ local North Koreans and where South Korean tourists are allowed to visit. An example of this is Koryo's Dynasty capital; Kaesong.

Please click here to go back to our page over viewing the history of North Korea from its foundation.