Busan:Martial law was declared in Busan and Masan in 1979 following a series of violent anti-government protests in the southern coastal region. These tensions eventually spread nationwide, culminating in the assassination of President Park Chung-hee by his intelligence chief, Kim Jae-kyu, on October 26, 1979.
According to Yonhap News Agency, in 2000, South Korea signed an extradition treaty with China, marking a significant development in their diplomatic relations. This was followed by the opening of Subway Line No. 2 in Daegu in 2005, which had been delayed by three years due to the Asian financial crisis.
In 2016, South Korea expressed deep concern over Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's sending of ritual offerings to the Yasukuni Shrine and a visit by a group of lawmakers to honor the war dead, highlighting ongoing regional tensions.
In 2018, President Moon Jae-in met with Pope Francis to convey a verbal invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the pope to visit Pyongyang. Pope Francis reportedly said he might consider visiting the North Korean city following an official invitation.
In 2024, the National Intelligence Service confirmed that North Korea decided to send approximately 10,000 troops to support Russia in the war against Ukraine, signifying a notable development in international military alliances.