SEOUL – November 19 holds a significant place in Korean history, marking various key events spanning from the Joseon Dynasty to contemporary diplomatic relations and geopolitical developments.
According to Yonhap News Agency, on November 19, 1598, the celebrated Joseon Dynasty naval commander Yi Sun-sin died during a battle against Japanese invaders in the southern sea. Admiral Yi was renowned for leading the Korean fleet against Japanese forces using his innovative “turtle ships.” These ships, notable for their iron armor, enabled Korean soldiers to attack enemies while being protected.
In more recent history, on this day in 1968, South Korea established diplomatic relations with Swaziland. This event marked an expansion in South Korea’s international diplomatic outreach.
1985 saw South Korea signing the International Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. This international agreement, established five days prior, was a step towards South Korea’s commitment to global environmental conservation efforts.
Another significant event occurred in 1997 when air traffic control towers of South and North Korea made direct contact for the first time since the Korean War (1950-53). This contact was a precursor to the opening of North Korea’s airspace in April 1998.
In 2005, the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) adopted declarations aimed at liberalizing trade and combating terrorism in the region, reflecting the collaborative efforts of the Asia-Pacific nations.
2009 marked a joint vow by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama to work towards the denuclearization of North Korea and to ratify a free trade agreement between their countries.
In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly committee adopted a resolution addressing human rights violations in North Korea, highlighting the international community’s concerns about the country’s human rights record.
Finally, in 2019, North Korea’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee Chairman Kim Yong-chol stated that North Korea had no interest in denuclearization negotiations with the United States unless Washington abandoned its “hostile” policy. This statement came after South Korea and the U.S. decided to postpone military exercises on November 17 to support diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea.