Today in Korean history

In 1985, 50 South Koreans and 50 North Koreans arrived in Pyongyang for the first temporary reunion of family members, separated since the Korean War (1950-53). The Gwangju Biennale, the largest arts festival in Asia, opened in Gwangju in 1995 and has since been held every two years, showcasing the latest international modern art developments.

In 2000, South Korean fencer Kim Young-ho won the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, becoming the first South Korean athlete to win a gold in fencing. However, Yang Tae-young, a South Korean gymnast, was denied the individual all-around gold after a scoring error in 2004 but later received equal financial reward from the national Olympic committee.

President Roh Moo-hyun called for plans to aid North Korea's economic development in 2005, as there were signs of a peaceful resolution to the dispute over Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. In 2013, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art returned a seal used by a Joseon Dynasty queen to Seoul after confirming it was stolen by an American soldier during the Korean War.

In 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Mount Paektu, the tallest mountain in Korea that straddles the border with China, at the conclusion of their three-day summit. The summit marked their third meeting and resulted in the joint declaration to completely eliminate nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.