Seoul: In a significant development in Korean history, North Korea declared the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea separating North and South Korea as "invalid" in 1999, asserting a new sea border line. The NLL was initially established by the United Nations Command at the conclusion of the Korean War following the Armistice Agreement in 1953.

According to Yonhap News Agency, in 2000, South Korea repatriated 63 former North Korean spies as part of efforts to reconcile with Pyongyang. These individuals were released after completing prison sentences that extended up to 40 years. This move was part of Seoul's broader strategy to improve relations with its northern neighbor.

In 2010, the Grand National Party, South Korea's ruling party at the time, expelled Representative Kang Yong-seok due to allegations of derogatory remarks about women. Kang faced criticism after reportedly making inappropriate comments regarding TV anchorwomen and women's appearances during a dinner with college students in late July of that year.

Further developments in 2018 saw President Moon Jae-in appoint his chief security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, as a special envoy to North Korea. This decision led a five-member delegation to Pyongyang on September 5, where they successfully arranged a summit between President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to take place in Pyongyang from September 18-20.