Today in Korean history

Oct. 29

1950 -- President Rhee Syng-man visits Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, after U.N. forces regained control of the city following a successful landing at Incheon during the Korean War.

1995 -- South Korea's annual exports hit the US$100 billion mark for the first time in history.

2008 -- Pak Song-chol, a former North Korean vice president and a key player in late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung's fight against Japanese colonial rule, dies of a chronic disease at age 95.

2009 -- The Constitutional Court rules that disputed media reform laws railroaded by the ruling party are valid, despite violations in the voting process.

2013 -- South Korea and the United States agree to extend their youth internship exchange program for another five years.

2020 -- The Supreme Court upholds a lower court ruling that sentenced former President Lee Myung-bak to 17 years in prison, a fine of 13 billion won (US$10.9 million), and a forfeiture of 5.7 billion won on embezzlement and bribery charges. Lee, who served as president from 2008-2013, was charged in April 2018 on 16 counts, including embezzlement in connection with the auto parts company DAS and receiving bribes.

2022 -- A deadly crowd crush occurs in Seoul's Itaewon district during late-night Halloween celebrations, resulting in 159 deaths and 195 injuries. The incident, South Korea's deadliest crowd crush, prompted nationwide mourning and a reevaluation of crowd management and public safety protocols.

2025 -- President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering.

South Korea and the United States finalize an agreement on the details of Seoul's US$350 billion investment pledge that lowered U.S. tariffs on Korean products. The investment consists of $200 billion in cash installments and $150 billion allocated for shipbuilding industry cooperation.
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