Today in Korean history

Jan. 28

1898 -- First telephone service starts in Korea.

1981 -- President Chun Doo-hwan visits the United States to meet with U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

1992 -- South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Kazakhstan.

2003 -- Lee Jong-wook is elected as director-general of the World Health Organization, becoming the first South Korean to head an international agency.

2011 -- The wounded captain of a South Korean freighter seajacked by Somali pirates is airlifted home.

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