Editing History of South Korea (section)

==Sixth Republic (1988–present) {{anchor|Sixth Republic (1987–present)}}==

The Sixth Republic was established on 25 February 1988 and remains the current — and by far the longest-lasting — polity of South Korea.<ref>{{cite web |language=ko |url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=1141297&cid=40942&categoryId=33385 |script-title=ko:제6공화국 |trans-title=6th Republic |website=[[Doosan Encyclopedia]] }}</ref>

===Roh Tae-woo, 1988–1993===
{{Main|Roh Tae-woo}}
[[Roh Tae-woo]] became president for the 13th presidential term in the first direct presidential election in 16 years. Although Roh was from a military background and one of the leaders of [[coup d'état of December Twelfth|Chun's coup d'état]], the inability of the opposition leaders [[Kim Dae-jung]] and [[Kim Young-sam]] to agree on a unified candidacy led to him being elected.<ref name="lhh roh">Lee Hyun-hee (2005, pp 610–613)</ref><ref name="aks 6rep">The Academy of Korean Studies (2005, pp 210–213)</ref> The first female presidential candidate, [[Hong Sook-ja]], even withdrew from the race in order to back Kim Young-sam against Roh.<ref name="LosAngeles2">{{cite web|last1=Holley|first1=David|title=Kim Young Sam Gets Backing of Only Woman in Korea Race|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-06-mn-27127-story.html|date=6 December 1987|access-date=24 November 2016}}</ref>

Roh was officially inaugurated in February 1988. The government set out to eliminate past vestiges of authoritarian rule by revising laws and decrees to fit democratic provisions. Freedom of the press was expanded, university autonomy was recognised, and restrictions on overseas travel were lifted.<ref>Robert E. Bedeski (1994, pp 27–28)</ref> However, the growth of the economy had slowed down compared to the 1980s, resulting in stagnant exports while commodity prices kept on rising.

[[File:Fireworks at the closing ceremonies of the 1988 Summer Games.JPEG|thumb|180px|Fireworks during the closing ceremonies of the [[1988 Summer Olympics]]]]

Shortly after Roh's inauguration, the [[1988 Summer Olympics]] took place, raising South Korea's international recognition and greatly influencing foreign policy. Roh's government announced the official unification plan, ''[[Nordpolitik]]'', and established diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, China, and countries in [[Eastern Europe]].<ref name="lhh roh" />

A historic event was held in 1990 when North Korea accepted the proposal for exchange between the two Koreas, resulting in high-level talks and cultural and sports exchanges. In 1991, a [[Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula|joint communiqué on denuclearization]] was agreed upon, and the two Koreas simultaneously became members of the UN.<ref name="lhh roh" /><ref>Adrian Buzo (2007, p205)</ref>

===Kim Young-sam, 1993–1998===
{{Main|Kim Young-sam}}
[[Kim Young-sam]] was elected president in the 1992 elections after Roh's tenure. He was the country's first civilian president in 30 years since 1962 and promised to build a "New Korea".<ref name="lhh ys">Lee Hyun-hee (2005, pp615-619)</ref> The government set out to address the authoritarianism of the previous administrations. Local government elections were held in 1995, and parliamentary elections followed in 1996. In response to popular demand, former presidents Chun and Roh were both indicted on charges linked to bribery, illegal funds, and, in the case of Chun, responsibility for the [[Gwangju Uprising]]. They were tried and sentenced to prison in December 1996.<ref name="lhh ys" /><ref name="ys doosan">{{in lang|ko}} [https://archive.today/20130129162614/http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=409337 The administration of Kim Young Sam] at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref>

Relations with the North improved, and a summit meeting was planned but postponed indefinitely with the [[Death and state funeral of Kim Il Sung|death]] of [[Kim Il Sung]]. Tensions varied between the two Koreas after that, with cycles of small military skirmishes and apologies. The government also carried out substantial financial and economic reforms, joining the [[OECD]] in 1996, but encountered difficulties with political and financial scandals involving his son{{whose|date=December 2024}}. The country also faced a variety of catastrophes: the Gupo Station rail accident<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=73 Die in South Korea When Rails Collapse |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/29/world/73-die-in-south-korea-when-rails-collapse.html |website=The New York Times |date=29 March 1993}}</ref> and the [[Sinking of MV Seohae|sinking of MV ''Seohae'']] in 1993,{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} the [[Seongsu Bridge disaster]] in 1994,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Min-sik |first1=Yoon |title=[Korea History] Bridge collapse lays bare dark side of 'Han River miracle' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230726000587 |website=[[The Korea Herald]] |language=en |date=26 July 2023}}</ref> and the [[Sampoong Department Store collapse]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Software |first1=Dlubal |title=Shopping Center Collapse in Seoul |url=https://www.dlubal.com/en/news-and-events/news/blog/000002 |website=Dlubal |language=en |date=4 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="lhh ys" />

In 1997, the nation suffered a [[1997 Asian financial crisis|severe financial crisis]], and the government approached the [[International Monetary Fund]] for relief. Opposition leader [[Kim Dae-jung]] won the presidency that year,<ref name="lhh ys" /> a first for the country.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Kim Dae-jung 1998–2003===
{{Main|Kim Dae-jung}}
[[File:Kim Dae-jung presidential portrait.jpg|thumb|upright|President [[Kim Dae-jung]], the 2000 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] recipient for advancing democracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia and for reconciliation with North Korea, was sometimes called the "[[Nelson Mandela]] of Asia."<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/18/obituary-kim-dae-jung |title=Kim Dae-jung |date=18 August 2009 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>]]
In February 1998, Kim Dae-jung was officially inaugurated.<ref>{{cite news |title=CNN - Opposition boycott shadows South Korea's new president - February 25, 1998 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9802/24/s.korea.wrap/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030502142332/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9802/24/s.korea.wrap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 May 2003 |work=CNN}}</ref> South Korea had maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes and this was the first transfer of the government between parties by peaceful means. Kim's government faced the daunting task of overcoming the economic crisis, but with the joint efforts of the government's aggressive pursuit of foreign investment, cooperation from the industrial sector, and the citizen's gold-collecting campaign, the country was able to come out of the crisis in a relatively short period of time.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/analysis/47496.stm Koreans give up their gold to help their country], BBC News, 14 January 1998. Retrieved 7 July 2010</ref><ref name="admin dj doosan">{{in lang|ko}} [http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=700061 The administration of Kim Dae-jung] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212225823/http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=700061 |date=12 February 2021 }} at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref><ref name="lhh dj">Lee Hyun-hee (2005, pp 620–626)</ref>

Industrial reconstruction of the big conglomerate ''[[chaebol]]s'' was pursued, a [[Pension fund|national pension system]] was established in 1998, educational reforms were carried out, government support for the [[Information technology|IT field]] was increased, and notable cultural properties were registered as [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites]].<ref name="lhh dj" /> The [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], co-hosted with Japan, was a major cultural event where millions of supporters gathered to cheer in public places.<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=755611 2002 World Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212225805/http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=755611 |date=12 February 2021 }} at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=FIFA World Cup: When South Korea created history in 2002 {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/fifa-world-cup-2002-south-korea-history-semifinal/blt7b0eedc7838c3dc9 |work=www.goal.com}}</ref>

In diplomacy, Kim Dae-jung pursued the "[[Sunshine Policy]]", a series of efforts to reconcile with North Korea.<ref name="bluth sunshine policy">Christoph Bluth (2007, pp 92–103)</ref> This culminated in reunions of the separated families of the [[Korean War]] and a summit talk with North Korean leader [[Kim Jong Il]].<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=North and South Korean leaders meet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/13/northkorea1 |work=the Guardian |date=13 June 2000 |language=en}}</ref> For these efforts, Kim Dae-jung was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in 2000.<ref>[http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2000/dae-jung.html Nobel Prize in Peace 2000], Nobel Prize Organization</ref>

===Roh Moo-hyun, 2003–2008===
{{Main|Roh Moo-hyun}}

[[Roh Moo-hyun]] was elected to the presidency in December 2002 by direct election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roh Moo-hyun Wins S. Korean Presidential Election - 2002-12-19 |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2002-12-19-28-roh-67555542/387947.html |work=VOA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=agencies |first1=Staff and |title=Roh wins S Korean elections  |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/19/northkorea |work=the Guardian |date=19 December 2002 |language=en}}</ref> His victory came with much support from the younger generation and civic groups who had hopes of participatory democracy, and Roh's administration consequently launched with the motto of "participation government". Unlike the previous governments, the administration decided to take a long-term view and execute market-based reforms gradually.<ref>Tom Ginsburg, Albert H. Y. Chen (2008, p104)</ref> This approach did not please the public: approval ratings fell by the end of 2003.<ref name="rmh olsen">Edward A. Olsen (2005, p92)</ref>

The Roh administration succeeded in overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, diluting the collusive ties between politics and business, empowering civil society, settling the South Korea-United States trade disagreement, continuing summit talks with North Korea, and launching the high-speed train system [[Korea Train Express|KTX]]. But despite a boom in the stock market, youth unemployment rates were high, real estate prices skyrocketed, and the economy lagged.<ref name="rmh doosan">{{in lang|ko}} [https://archive.today/20130129192655/http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=769165 Roh Moo-hyun] at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref>

In March 2004, the National Assembly voted to impeach Roh regarding breach of election laws and corruption. This motion rallied his supporters and affected the outcome of the [[2004 South Korean legislative election|parliamentary election]] held in April, with the ruling party becoming the majority. Roh was reinstated in May by the Constitutional Court, which had overturned the verdict. However, the ruling party then lost its majority in [[Elections in South Korea#2005-10-26 by-election|by-elections in 2005]], as discontinued reform plans, continual labor unrest, Roh's personal feuds with the media, and diplomatic friction with the United States and Japan caused criticism of the government's competence on political and socioeconomic issues and on foreign affairs.<ref name="rmh olsen" /><ref name="rmh bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2535143.stm Obituary:Roh Moo-hyun], BBC News, 23 May 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/washington/14korea.html?_r=2&ref=asia&oref=slogin US to roll out tepid welcome for President of South Korea], New York Times, 14 September 2006.</ref>

In April 2009, after leaving office, Roh Moo-hyun and his family members were investigated for bribery and corruption; Roh denied the charges. On 23 May 2009, Roh committed suicide by jumping into a ravine.<ref name="rmh bbc" /><ref>[http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2009050139968 Ex-Pres. Roh MH Denies Bribery Charges], Donga Ilbo, 1 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8065101.stm S. Korea stunned by Roh's suicide], BBC News, 25 May 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref>

===Lee Myung-bak, 2008–2013===
{{Main|Lee Myung-bak}}
[[File:Lee Myung-bak presidential portrait.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Lee Myung-bak]], President of South Korea from 2008 to 2013]]
Roh's successor, [[Lee Myung-bak]], was inaugurated in February 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea's New President Sworn In – DW – 02/25/2008 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/south-koreas-new-president-sworn-in/a-5213894 |work=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> Stating "creative pragmatism" as a guiding principle, Lee's administration set out to revitalize the flagging economy, re-energize diplomatic ties, stabilize social welfare, and meet the challenges of globalization.<ref name="mb nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/world/asia/25iht-korea.1.10364479.html Lee Myung-bak takes over as South Korean president], The New York Times, 25 February 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=839784 Administration of Lee Myung-bak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304105316/http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=839784 |date=4 March 2021 }} at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref> In April 2008, the ruling party secured a majority in the National Assembly elections.<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0002039927 4.9 election results], Yonhap News, 10 April 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> Also that month, summit talks with the United States addressed the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and helped ease tensions between the two countries caused by the previous administrations. Lee agreed to lift the ban on US beef imports, which caused [[2008 US beef protest in South Korea|massive protests and demonstrations]] in the months that followed, as paranoia of potential [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|mad cow disease]] gripped the country.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7457087.stm South Korea beef protests], BBC News, 25 June 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref>

Many issues plagued the government, starting from the [[2008 Namdaemun fire|arson of the Namdaemun gates]], in which the government was accused of not providing adequate security. Further controversies arose over the years regarding the appointment of high-ranking government officials, rampant political conflicts, accusations of oppression of media, and strained diplomatic relationships with North Korea and Japan.<ref>[http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/346509.html Lee Myung-bak administration presses against freedom of press], The Hankyoreh, 27 March 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> The global recession affected the economy as the worst economic crisis since 1997 hit the country.<ref>{{in lang|ko}}  [http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0002410353 2008 politics #1], Yonhap News, 15 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> The Lee administration tackled these issues by actively issuing statements, reshuffling the cabinet, and implementing administrative and industrial reforms.<ref>{{in lang|ko}} [http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=100&oid=001&aid=0002410354 2008 politics #2], Yonhap News, 15 December 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref>

The economy bounced back after regulatory and economic reforms, with the country's economy marking growth and recovering from the global recession.<ref>[http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2009012028358 Lee Administration Reshuffles Economic Team], Donga Ilbo, 20 January 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2010; [http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923209 Government claims deregulation progress], Joongang Daily, 2010-7-15.</ref><ref>[http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=100495&code=Ne4&category=3 Lee Myung-bak Administration's Economic Progress Over the Past 2 Years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807191501/http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=100495&code=Ne4&category=3 |date=7 August 2020 }}, Arirang, 23 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>[http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_commentary_detail.htm?No=17753 President Lee Myung-bak's performance during the past two years and challenges facing his administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130014304/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_commentary_detail.htm?No=17753 |date=30 November 2010 }}, KBS World, 25 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100711173809/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-09/korea-raises-rates-as-asia-leads-recovery-won-gains.html Korea Raises Rates as Asia Leads Recovery], Bloomberg Business Week, 9 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010</ref> The administration also pursued improved diplomatic relations by holding summit talks with the United States, China, and Japan and participating in the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit to strengthen ties with other Asian countries.<ref>[http://news.mofat.go.kr/enewspaper/articleview.php?master=&aid=2674&ssid=23&mvid=765 Diplomatic Achievements in the First Two Years of the Lee Myung-bak Administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118064724/http://news.mofat.go.kr/enewspaper/articleview.php?master=&aid=2674&ssid=23&mvid=765 |date=18 January 2018 }}, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 26 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.</ref> The [[2010 G20 Seoul summit|2010 G20 summit]] was held in Seoul, where issues regarding the global economic crisis were discussed.<ref>[http://seoulsummit.kr/eng/main.g20?menu_seq=main 2010 G20 Seoul Summit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725001227/http://seoulsummit.kr/eng/main.g20?menu_seq=main |date=25 July 2010 }}, Official Site</ref>

In October 2020, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a 17-year prison sentence for former president Lee Myung-bak because of taking bribes before and during his presidency.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=South Korea's Supreme Court Upholds 17-Year Jail Term for Ex-President Lee |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/south-koreas-supreme-court-upholds-17-year-jail-term-for-ex-president-lee/ |work=thediplomat.com}}</ref>

===Park Geun-hye, 2013–2017===
{{Main|Park Geun-hye}}
[[File:Korea President Park Business Leaders 20130508 01.jpg|thumb|President Park Geun-hye with [[chaebol]] business magnates [[Lee Kun-hee]] and [[Chung Mong-koo]], May 2013]]
[[Park Geun-hye]] was inaugurated in February 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park Geun-hye sworn in as South Korea president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-21570512 |work=BBC News |date=25 February 2013}}</ref> She is the eleventh President of South Korea and is the eldest child of South Korea's [[Stratocracy|stratocratic]] third President, [[Park Chung Hee]]. She was the first woman to be elected South Korean president, and to be elected as a head of state in the modern history of Northeast Asia.<ref name="New Pres Dec 19 2012">{{cite news|last=Guray|first=Geoffrey Lou|title=South Korea Elects First Female President – Who Is She?|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/12/south-korea-1.html|publisher=PBS NewsHour|access-date=19 December 2012|date=19 December 2012 <!-- at 12:18 PM EDT -->|archive-date=21 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121191659/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/12/south-korea-1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her reputation during her presidency was eventually marred by her incompetency of handling the [[Sinking of MV Sewol|''Sewol'' ferry disaster]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/11/asia/south-korea-park-impeachment-sewol-ferry/index.html|title=Park impeachment: Bittersweet victory for families of Sewol ferry victims|date=12 March 2017|language=en}}</ref> the [[2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak in South Korea|2015 MERS outbreak]],<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/13/world/mers-tarnishes-korean-presidents-image-as-leader.html | title=MERS Tarnishes Korean President's Image as Leader | newspaper=The New York Times | date=12 June 2015 | last1=Sang-Hun | first1=Choe }}</ref> and later a major scandal, leading to her impeachment in December 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/12/116_219865.html|title=President impeached|date=9 December 2016|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date=8 February 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2017/01/356_222819.html|title='Scandal is made up of lies,' says Park|date=25 January 2017|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date=8 February 2017|language=en}}</ref> The [[2016 South Korean political scandal|corruption scandal]] involving [[Choi Soon-sil]] quickly blew up after reports from multiple news organizations (the most notable of which was [[JTBC]]) in 2016, [[2016–2017 South Korean protests|nationwide protests]] ensued weekly, with participant count hitting a maximum of over 2.3 million (as reported by the protesters). These protests turned out to be the biggest mass protests in Korean history. The protests continued even after Congress voted on Park's impeachment. Prime Minister [[Hwang Kyo-ahn]] acted as President of South Korea<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2017/02/07/68/0301000000AEN20170207003651315F.html|title=(LEAD) Acting president warns of N.K. 'strategic' provocations|newspaper=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|access-date=8 February 2017|language=en}}</ref> pending completion of investigations<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/02/356_223434.html|title=Park may end up in jail next month|date=7 February 2017|newspaper=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date=8 February 2017|language=en}}</ref> into the actions of [[Park Geun-hye]], and in the absence of any intervening election. The [[Constitutional Court of Korea|Constitutional Court]] upheld the impeachment on 10 March 2017, ending Park's presidency and forcing her out of office.<ref name="impeach0310nyt">{{cite news|last1=Sang-hun|first1=Choe|title=South Korea Removes President Park Geun-hye|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/asia/park-geun-hye-impeached-south-korea.html|access-date=10 March 2017|work=The New York Times|date=9 March 2017}}</ref>

In April 2018, former president Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 24 years in jail because of abuse of power and corruption.<ref>{{cite news |title=Park Geun-hye: South Korea's ex-leader jailed for 24 years for corruption |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43666134 |work=BBC News |date=6 April 2018}}</ref>

===Moon Jae-in, 2017–2022===
{{Main|Moon Jae-in}}
[[File:2018 inter-Korean summit 01.jpg|thumb|North Korean leader [[Kim Jong Un]] and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shaking hands inside the [[Inter-Korean Peace House|Peace House]] on 27 April 2018]]
[[Moon Jae-in]] was inaugurated on 10 May 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Korean president willing to work with North – DW – 05/10/2017 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/new-south-korean-president-moon-sworn-in-and-willing-to-visit-north-korea/a-38779018 |work=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> As President, his tenure saw an improving political relationship with North Korea, some increasing divergence in the military alliance with the United States, and the successful hosting of the [[2018 Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Madhani |first1=Aamer |title=Was hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics worth the trouble for South Korea? |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/winter-olympics-2018/2018/02/21/hosting-2018-winter-olympics-worth-trouble-south-korea/350410002/ |work=USA TODAY}}</ref> Moon Jae-in met with North Korean chairman [[Kim Jong Un]] at the [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit]], [[May 2018 inter-Korean summit]], and [[September 2018 inter-Korean summit]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tiezzi |first1=Shannon |title=The Moon-Kim Summit: What You Need to Know |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/the-moon-kim-summit-what-you-need-to-know/ |work=thediplomat.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last3=Seo |first1=Joshua |last1=Berlinger |first2=Sophie |last2=Jeong |first3=Yoonjung |title=Kim Jong Un hugs Moon Jae-in as inter-Korean summit starts |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/17/asia/north-korea-south-korea-summit-intl/index.html |work=CNN |date=18 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea|COVID-19 outbreak]], President Moon had gained a positive reputation both domestically and internationally with the initial successes of controlling the outbreak.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Derek|date=2020-05-06|title=What's Behind South Korea's COVID-19 Exceptionalism?|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/whats-south-koreas-secret/611215/|access-date=2022-04-28|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US}}</ref> Subsequent outbreaks in 2021, however, caused his ratings to plummet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210103000139|title=Moon's approval rating drops to lowest point|work=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=3 January 2021|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> As of 2021, South Korea recorded more deaths than births, resulting in a population decline for the first time on record.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/world/asia/south-korea-population.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/world/asia/south-korea-population.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |url-access=limited|title=As Birthrate Falls, South Korea's Population Declines, Posing Threat to Economy|last=Gladstone|first=Rick|website=[[New York Times]]|date=4 January 2021|access-date=5 January 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In April 2020, President Moon's [[Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)|Democratic party]] won a landslide victory in parliamentary [[2020 South Korean legislative election|elections]]. It took 180 seats in the 300-member National Assembly with its allies. The opposition [[People Power Party (South Korea)|People Power Party]] (UFP) won 103 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/16/south-koreas-governing-party-wins-election-by-a-landslide|title = South Korea's governing party wins election by a landslide}}</ref>

President Moon finished his term on 9 May 2022. His successor, [[People Power Party (South Korea)|People Power Party]] candidate [[Yoon Suk-yeol]], took over the seat on 10 May 2022 after winning narrowly the [[2022 South Korean presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Yoon Suk-yeol takes office as South Korea's new president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/10/yoon-suk-yeol-takes-office-as-south-koreas-new-president |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Yoon Suk-yeol, 2022–2025===
{{Main|Yoon Suk-yeol}}

On 29 October 2022, at least [[Seoul Halloween crowd crush|153 people were crushed to death]] when a crowd surged in an alleyway during [[Halloween]] festivities in Seoul's [[Itaewon]] district. President Yoon declared a state of official national mourning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Mina |date=2022-10-30 |title=President Yoon declares 'national mourning period'...Visit to Itaewon disaster site |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/1064838.html |work=[[The Hankyoreh]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=At least 153 killed in crowd crush during Halloween festivities in Seoul |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/29/dozens-of-people-crushed-by-large-crowd-at-halloween-festivities-in-south-korea |work=the Guardian |date=30 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The "Unification Act on the Calculation of Age" took effect on 28 June 2023. The "Unification Act on the Calculation of Age" was promoted to resolve social and administrative confusion and disputes arising from mixing various age calculation methods. It is President Yoon Suk Yeol's representative presidential election pledge and the 13th of the 120 state affairs of the Yoon Suk Yeol government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-27 |title=Yoon Seok-yeol's government's national task 'Unification of Man-age Act' was promulgated today |url=https://www.moleg.go.kr/board.es?mid=a10501000000&bid=0048&list_no=251821&act=view&nPage=1 |website=Ministry of Government Legislation of the Republic of Korea}}</ref>

In the 22nd National Assembly [[2024 South Korean legislative election|election]] held on 10 April 2024, the People Power Party to which Yoon Suk Yeol belongs won 108 out of 300 seats, while the opposition Democratic Party of Korea won 175.<ref>{{Cite news |title=See the results of the 22nd general election vote count |url=https://www.bbc.com/korean/articles/c06045ln53lo |work=BBC Korea}}</ref>

In June 2024, South Korea suspended the 2018 [[Panmunjom Declaration|military agreement]] with North Korea.<ref>{{cite web |title=South Korea Fully Suspends Military Deal With North Korea After Tensions Over Trash Balloons |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/06/south-korea-fully-suspends-military-deal-with-north-korea-after-tensions-over-trash-balloons/ |website=thediplomat.com}}</ref> 

On 3 December 2024, [[2024 South Korean martial law crisis|Yoon enacted martial law]] to rid the opposition of 'Anti-State Influence'. Following a few hours of unrest, the National Assembly unanimously passed a motion to lift martial law. Many hours of protest later, with the army unable to stand down without presidential authority, Yoon lifted his prior declaration of martial law and ordered the military to stand down.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mao |first1=Frances |last2=Kwon |first2=Jake |title=South Korea martial law: What happens next? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0lgw1pw5zpo |work=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

[[Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol|Yoon was subsequently impeached]] on 14 December by the National Assembly and suspended from office pending a final ruling by the [[Constitutional Court of Korea|Constitutional Court]] on whether to confirm his removal from the presidency.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea's leadership crisis in hands of Constitutional Court |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-constitutional-court-decide-impeached-presidents-fate-2024-12-14/ |access-date=22 February 2025 |publisher=reuters.com/}}</ref>

On 29 December 2024, Jeju Air [[Jeju Air Flight 2216|plane crash]] at [[Muan International Airport]] in South Korea killed 179 people, being the deadliest air disaster on the nation's soil.<ref>{{cite news |title=South Korea to release preliminary report of Jeju Air crash by Monday |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-release-preliminary-report-jeju-air-crash-by-monday-2025-01-25/ |access-date=22 February 2025 |publisher=www.reuters.com}}</ref>

On 4 April 2025, in a unanimous 8-0 verdict, the Constitutional Court [[Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol#Verdict|upheld]] Yoon's impeachment, formally removing him from office and laying the groundwork for a [[2025 South Korean presidential election|new Presidential election]] to be held later that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-08 |title=South Korea to hold presidential election on 3 June after impeachment turmoil |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7ve4qnlw9o |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>