North Korea–South Korea relations
Formerly a single nation that was annexed by Japan in 1910, the Korean Peninsula has been divided into North Korea and South Korea since the end of World War II on 2 September 1945. The two governments were founded in the two regions in 1948, leading to the consolidation of division. The two countries engaged in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 which ended in an armistice agreement but without a peace treaty. North Korea is a one-party totalitarian state run by the Kim family. South Korea was formerly governed by a succession of military dictatorships, save for a brief one-year democratic period from 1960 to 1961, until thorough democratization in 1987, after which direct elections were held. Both nations claim the entire Korean Peninsula and outlying islands. Both nations joined the United Nations in 1991 and are recognized by most member states. Since the 1970s, both nations have held informal diplomatic dialogues in order to ease military tensions.
Kim Il Sung, amongst other Korean communists and Soviet representatives, at a conference in Pyongyang in 1946, seated under large portraits of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and himself.
Syngman Rhee together with US general Douglas MacArthur at the grand ceremony inaugurating the government of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 1948.
Delegates sign the Korean Armistice Agreement in P'anmunjŏm.
The Korean DMZ in 2012, viewed from the north.
The Sunshine Policy is one of the approaches for South Korea's foreign policy towards North Korea.
Kim Jong-un meeting with South Korean envoys at the Workers' Party of Korea main building, 6 March 2018
Kim and Moon shake hands in greeting at the demarcation line.