SUMMARY

[Note to reader: this Country page primarily contains brief information about state-based violence during the period 1946–1974, and to some extent 1975–1988. For more detailed information on organized violence after 1989, please consult the specific Conflict and Dyad pages available on the left-hand side of this page. These pages contain more detailed information regarding all three categories of organized violence in this country from 1989 and onwards (when applicable), as well as detailed information about state-based violence 1975–1988. The left-hand side menu also contains links to Actor pages for all groups involved in organized violence since 1989 in this country, as well as actors involved in state-based violence 1975–1988.]

In the 19th century, the Japanese Empire took control over Korea that had been an independent unified country for centuries. Upon Japan’s defeat in the Second World War, the rule over the Korean peninsula was divided between the Soviet Union and the USA. The two victorious powers disagreed over how a reunified Korea should be ruled. A Korean communist government under Kim Il Sung was set up in the northern zone, which was occupied by the Soviet Union, while elections were held in the USA-controlled southern zone. Following the proclamation of the independent Republic of Korea in the South in 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was inaugurated in the northern zone the same year.

Tensions between the newly established states increased as both governments on the Korean peninsula insisted to be the only rightful government. In 1949, sporadic border clashes occurred. In the following year, Kim Il Sung attempted to take control over the whole peninsula by force and invaded South Korea. During the conflict North Korea was militarily supported by the Soviet Union and China, while South Korea was backed by a UN alliance with the USA at the forefront. The conflict ended in 1953 with an armistice, the restoration of the pre-war border along the 38th parallel and the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the two countries.

North Korea militarily supported North Vietnam in a conflict against the South Vietnam from 1965 to 1975. In 2024, North Korea participated in the Russia - Ukraine as secondary warring supporter to Russia.

Since 1946, North Korea has experienced the interstate category of UCDP organised violence.