Seoul

The Korean War Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, to end hostilities in the Korean War. It was signed in Panmunjom, a location near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, just north of Seoul. The agreement was reached by the United Nations Command, led by the United States, and the North Korean and Chinese military forces. It effectively stopped the fighting and established the DMZ, though it did not formally end the war, as no peace treaty was signed.

Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympic Games from September 17 to October 2, 1988. This was the second time the Olympic Games were held in Asia, and it marked a significant moment for South Korea, showcasing its rapid modernization and economic development. The event featured 8391 athletes from 160 different countries competing in 263 events. The games were considered a major success and improved South Korea’s international standing.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup Final took place on June 30, 2002, at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, but its preliminary matches were held in Seoul, which was one of the host cities for the tournament. This World Cup was notable for being the first held in Asia and the first jointly hosted by two countries, South Korea and Japan. South Korea's national team performed exceptionally well, reaching the semi-finals, which was a historic achievement for the nation.

The 2010 G20 Seoul summit took place on November 11-12, 2010, marking the first time the G20 summit was held in South Korea and the first in an Asian nation. Leaders from the world's largest economies gathered to discuss global financial system improvements, financial regulation, and the prevention of future economic crises. The summit aimed to coordinate international economic policies and manage post-global recession recovery efforts.

Kim Jong-il, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, died on December 17, 2011. His death had significant implications for Seoul and the broader Korean Peninsula, creating uncertainty and anxiety about the future of inter-Korean relations. South Korea was put on high alert, and changes in North Korean leadership were closely monitored in hopes of potential diplomatic engagement or unexpected escalations on the peninsula.

On April 16, 2014, the MV Sewol ferry sank while carrying 476 people, mostly secondary school students from Danwon High School headed to Jeju Island. The disaster resulted in 304 fatalities and caused nationwide grief and anger over the South Korean government's response and regulatory failures. The sinking had significant political and social repercussions, leading to changes in safety regulations and policies in South Korea.

On December 9, 2016, South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly following a scandal involving abuse of power, bribery, and collusion with her close aide Choi Soon-sil. The impeachment led to massive protests in Seoul and across the country, highlighting dissatisfaction with government corruption. Following her impeachment, Park was removed from office by a Constitutional Court ruling in March 2017.

The 2018 Winter Olympics, hosted by South Korea, officially began with the opening ceremony on February 9, 2018, in Pyeongchang. The ceremony included athletes from North and South Korea marching together under a unified flag, symbolizing a rare moment of reconciliation amidst longstanding tensions. The games provided South Korea an opportunity to showcase its culture and technological advancements.

On April 27, 2018, an Inter-Korean Summit took place at the Peace House in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met to discuss denuclearization and the potential for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The summit was historic, as it marked the first time a North Korean leader had entered South Korean territory since the end of the Korean War.

On November 25, 2019, South Korea decided to extend the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan. This agreement was crucial for trilateral security cooperation involving the United States amidst rising tensions with North Korea. The renewal occurred after a period of strained relations between South Korea and Japan due to historical and trade disputes, and its continuation was seen as vital for regional security stability.