North Korean History
North Korean history began in the mid-20th century, following the end of World War II in 1945. The Korean Peninsula was divided into two zones of occupation, with the Soviet Union controlling the north and the United States in the south. In 1948, Kim Il-sung established the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north, leading to the Korean War (1950-1953) when North Korea invaded the south.
After the war, North Korea focused on building a socialist state, heavily influenced by Soviet and Chinese models. Kim Il-sung ruled until his death in 1994, followed by his son, Kim Jong-il. The country has faced economic challenges and international isolation, particularly due to its nuclear weapons program.