1953    The Korean War ends when the United States, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea sign an armistice agreement. Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea, refuses to sign but pledges to observe the armistice.

1979    Park Chung-hee, President of South Korea is assassinated by KCIA head Kim Jae-kyu. Choi Kyu-ha becomes the acting President; Kim is executed the following May.

1980    Major General Chun Doo-hwan becomes president of South Korea, following the resignation of Choi Kyu-hah.

2004    The President of South Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, is impeached by its national assembly: the first such impeachment in the nation's history.