Korea in the 2000s: Broadband Nation and the Korean Wave
Broadband internet service, launched in the late 1990s, spread quickly, and in the early 2000s PC-based dial-up services went into decline as web portals took their place. At the 2002 World Cup co-hosted with Japan, South Korea became the first AFC member to reach the semifinals. The Korean Wave, which began with TV dramas, expanded into K-pop and won fans across Asia.
Year by year
Korea in 2000
The first inter-Korean summit since the division and reunions of separated families created a mood of reconciliation. Conflict over the separation of prescribing and dispensing roiled the medical community, and Kim Dae-…
- Apr 13The 16th National Assembly elections were held.
- Jun 15Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-il held the first inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang and issued the June 15 Joint Declaration.
- JulA system separating prescribing (doctors) from dispensing (pharmacists) took effect.
Korea in 2001
Incheon International Airport opened, and in August Korea repaid all its IMF loans, formally closing the chapter on the financial crisis. Box-office hits like “Friend” and “My Sassy Girl” energized the Korean film indus…
- Mar 21Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung died.
- Mar 29Incheon International Airport, built on Yeongjong Island, opened.
- Aug 23South Korea repaid all of its IMF bailout loans ahead of schedule.
Korea in 2002
Korea reached the World Cup semifinals on home soil, filling streets nationwide with cheering crowds, and Busan hosted the Asian Games. Candlelight vigils mourned two schoolgirls killed by a U.S. military vehicle, and R…
- JunSouth Korea’s national team reached the semifinals of the World Cup co-hosted with Japan.
- Jun 13Two middle-school girls were killed by a U.S. military armored vehicle in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, prompting candlelight vigils.
- Jun 29The Second Battle of Yeonpyeong broke out near Yeonpyeong Island, and South Korean sailors were killed.
Korea in 2003
The Roh Moo-hyun administration took office, but the nation was soon plunged into mourning by the Daegu subway fire. Six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program began, and Korean films and dramas such as “Memories…
- Jan 25A worm attack crippled internet service nationwide in what became known as the “1.25 Internet Crisis.”
- Feb 18An arson fire at Jungangno Station on the Daegu subway killed 192 people.
- Feb 25Roh Moo-hyun was inaugurated, launching what he called the “Participatory Government.”
Korea in 2004
The National Assembly voted to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun, but the Constitutional Court overturned it, rocking the political landscape. The KTX high-speed rail and the five-day workweek began to change daily life, w…
- Mar 12The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun, suspending his powers.
- Apr 1The KTX high-speed rail service opened, linking Seoul with Busan and Mokpo.
- Apr 15The 17th National Assembly elections were held.
Korea in 2005
The restored Cheonggyecheon stream opened to the public, and Busan hosted the APEC summit. A revision of the Civil Code abolished the hoju family-head system, and at year’s end revelations that Hwang Woo-suk’s team had…
- Mar 2The National Assembly revised the Civil Code to abolish the hoju family-head system, effective 2008.
- AprA major wildfire in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, burned the ancient Naksansa temple.
- OctSeoul’s restored Cheonggyecheon stream opened to the public.
Korea in 2006
North Korea conducted its first nuclear test, raising tensions on the peninsula, while Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon was chosen as UN Secretary-General. Negotiations on a Korea–U.S. free trade agreement began, and the fi…
- May 31The fourth nationwide simultaneous local elections were held.
- JunSouth Korea and the United States opened formal negotiations on a free trade agreement.
- Oct 9North Korea announced it had carried out its first nuclear test.
Korea in 2007
The Korea–U.S. free trade agreement was concluded, and a second inter-Korean summit took place in Pyongyang. Volunteers from across the country flocked to clean up the Taean oil spill, and Lee Myung-bak won the December…
- Apr 2South Korea and the United States concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement.
- Jul 19Twenty-three South Koreans were kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan, and two were killed.
- Oct 2Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Jong-il held the second inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang.
Korea in 2008
The Lee Myung-bak administration took office amid shock over the arson destruction of Sungnyemun gate. Mass candlelight protests against a U.S. beef import deal continued for weeks, Mount Kumgang tours were halted after…
- Feb 10Sungnyemun, then designated National Treasure No. 1, was destroyed by arson.
- Feb 25Lee Myung-bak was inaugurated as president.
- AprYi So-yeon became the first Korean in space, staying aboard the International Space Station.
Korea in 2009
The year began with the deadly Yongsan redevelopment fire, and the deaths of former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung drew outpourings of mourning. Swine flu spread, the Naro rocket made its first launch attempt,…
- Jan 20A fire broke out during a police operation to clear a protest at a Yongsan redevelopment site in Seoul, killing evicted tenants and a police officer.
- May 23Former president Roh Moo-hyun died, and mourners gathered across the country.
- May 25North Korea conducted its second nuclear test.
Historical photo archive
Sources
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