Introduction A Map of the Whole Korean Peninsula
At the end of WWII, the Soviet forces occupied North Korea and US forces occupied South Korea. Due to the difference in systems of government, the leaders of the two regions were also separate. The North was ruled under a military dictatorship upholding Communist values, while the South was ruled under Democracy and Western principles.Introduction
Kim Il Sung was the leader of North Korea and Syngman Rhee was the President of South Korea. With the death of the dictator in 1994, his son, Kim Jong Il became the next leader of the nation.
In the South, Kim Dae Jung became the new president in the year 1997. He had a different approach to the North, by using a method called the Sunshine Policy. Kim Dae Jung tried to create a very positive atmosphere between the two Koreas, and in June 13, 2000, the historical summit was held in Pyongyang, North Korea. President Kim Dae Jung flew up in order to attend, where he met with the current leader Kim Jong Il. The two shared some time over a period of three days and more negotiations were made during that time.
Since the time of the summit, hopes have been very high in the South and even in the North of possibly uniting the two Koreas into one. Unification in the peninsula now seems to be a realistic possibility for the people, instead of a mere dream.
