1960 – Korea Democratic Movements

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The 4.19 Revolution

Opposition Movement on Korea-Japan Treaty

1960

Anti constitutional Amendment Movement
for Reelection

Anti-Yushin Movement

Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising

1970

The May 18 Democratic Uprising

1980

The June 10 Uprising

732787 ─ 1960.04.19.

The 4.19 Revolution

“ Take responsibility for the dead student!
President Rhee OUT! ”

Rhee Syngman, the very first president of the Republic of Korea, and the governing party committed illegal acts in the presidential and vice-presidential elections on March 15, 1960, to maintain their power. They attempted to re-establish power through fraudulent elections and illegal violence, which provoked the people’s anger and triggered the 4.19 Revolution.
On February 28, just before the election, high school students in Daegu started to gather on the streets. On March 8, students from Daejeon crowded the streets to protest against the injustice and illegality of the Syngman Rhee regime. On the day of the election, March 15, a large-scale demonstration movement happened in Masan. The protesting wave spread to other parts of Korea from April of the same year, including Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, etc. On April 19, Rhee Syngman administration commanded to open fire and decreed martial law on the people who were crying out for the overthrow of the dictatorship. However, people were stubborn and did not stop fighting for what they wanted. At the end, Syngman Rhee was forced to resign from the presidency on April 26.

742408 ─ 1964.03.27.

Opposition Movement
on Korea-Japan Treaty

“ Stop stealing our country with guns and swords!
Stop selling off the country! ”

Park Chung-Hee regime, which seized the government through the 5·16 Military coup, tried to use claims funds from Japan to strengthen the government’s economic policies and to expand his own political funds. The unfair treaty between Korea and Japan aroused public outrage and even humiliated them. People did not want the claims fund. People wanted an apology and compensation from Japan. The national-level anti-protests began in March 1964. Later in June, about 10,000 citizens and students gathered and marched as far as to the outskirt of the Blue House, where the president’s office is.
However, Park Chung-Hee regime made an agreement on ‘the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea’ in February 1965. The treaty was officially signed in June and was enforced ratification of the National Assembly in August. As a result, the opposition parties and people, regardless of their ages and jobs, started protesting against the treaty and the ratification again. However, Park Chung-Hee regime suppressed people's demands through violent oppression, which was proclamation of a supreme command using military force, and the imprisonment of citizens and students.

734279 ─ 1969.08.09.

Anti constitutional Amendment Movement
for Reelection

“ Death rather than three-term constitutional amendment! ”

In order to extend the dictatorship, Park Chung-Hee regime tried to abolish the law on consecutive presidencies and to amend the constitution, so that he can serve as a president for three consecutive terms. The members of the opposition party, which was the New Democratic Party, and other non-governmental members of the National Assembly united and formed ‘National Preparatory Committee Against Third-term Constitution’. At the same time, university students across the country started a resistance demonstration.
In September 1969, Park Chung-Hee regime anomalously passed the three-term constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly, ignoring the opposing opinions of people. People’s experience on this resistance movement and struggle against the government later became a strong driving force for the democratization movements in the 1970s and 1980s.