Seoul: Key events throughout the years have marked significant changes and developments in Korean history. Notably, in 1905, Ito Hirobumi was appointed as Japan's first ruler of the Korean Peninsula, which was a crucial step in Japan's takeover of Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the opening of the Seoul-Incheon Highway in 1968 marked a pivotal development in South Korea's infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and economic development. In 1979, Choi Kyu-hah assumed office as South Korea's 10th president, a significant political transition for the nation.

In the realm of sports, 2001 saw a major achievement when pitcher Park Chan-ho signed a five-year contract with the Texas Rangers of U.S. Major League Baseball, highlighting a milestone for Korean athletes in international sports.

In 2010, South Korea's decision to light up a giant Christmas tree on a border hill near North Korea was met with tension. Pyongyang condemned the act as psychological warfare, raising concerns about possible retaliatory actions.

Finally, in 2017, a dramatic incident occurred when a North Korean soldier defected to South Korea through the Demilitarized Zone, resulting in gunfire exchanges from both sides, underscoring the ongoing tensions between the neighboring countries.