Since around 3000 BC the Korean tribes are united into more or less a state. Legend says that in 2333 BC Koreans are united in the kingdom of Choson. Since the second century BC Korea is under control of Manchuria and from the first century BC China controls the area.By the first century AD, the Korean Peninsula is divided into the kingdoms of Shilla, Koguryo and Paekche. In 668 AD, the Shilla kingdom unifies the peninsula. This feudal state is suceeded in 935 by Koryo.

Korea is occupied by the Mongols between 1231 and 1261, but independence is regained that last year. In the fourteenth century Koryo is restyled into the Kingdom of Choson. In 1637 Choson becomes a puppet state of China.

In 1895 China loses control after the Sino-Japanese war over Choson: Japan takes over. In 1905 Choson becomes a protectorate and in 1910 it is annexed to Japan. Japanese colonial administration is characterized by tight control from Tokyo and ruthless efforts to supplant Korean language and culture. Organized Korean resistance during the colonial era is generally unsuccessful and Japan remains firmly in control of the peninsula until the end of World War II in 1945.

The surrender of Japan in 1945 leads to the immediate division of Korea into two occupation zones, with the United States administering the southern half of the peninsula and the USSR taking over the area to the north of the 38th parallel. A 5-year trusteeship is discussed and a joint USSR-American commission is established. Since no compromize can be found, the United States submit the Korean question in 1947 to the UN General Assembly. Initial hopes for a unified, independent Korea quickly evaporate as the politics of the Cold War and domestic opposition to the trusteeship plan result in the 1948 establishment of two separate nations with diametrically opposed political, economic, and social systems. In the south part of the peninsula the Republic of Korea is proclaimed, supported by the USA.

The northern part becomes, sponsored by the USSR, the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK invaded the Republic of Korea in 1950, which resulted into three years of warfare between the DPRK and the United Nations. The DPRK is a communist dictatorship led by the Chosun No-ding Dang (Korean Workers' Party, CND) of Kim Il Song (until 1994) and Kim Jong-il (after 1994).