KOREA 50 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Hallasan, Gyeongsan, Street Theatre
Document Summary
The seoul spring: democratization of south korea, 1979-1987. Emphasis on korea"s unique geopolitical and cultural situation. Civil rights and freedom should be curtailed to serve state interests. President seen as the father of the state. System collapsed due to protests under leadership of roh tae-woo. Declared popular elections for the seat of president. December 12, 1979 general jeon duhwan instigates coup. Jeon was supposed to investigate the assassination of park chung hee. Protesters set fire to the usis building in busan. Assassination of park chung hee in 1979 by kim jaegyu. Initially a student-led movement, quickly gained broad citizen support. Brutal government response using the black beret of the special warfare command. 200 reportedly killed, thousands wounded, unknown number disappeared . Government propaganda slandered gwangju citizens as north korean agents. Provisions of treaty requires that south korea coordinates with us-rok combined. President ronald reagan gave jeon tacit approval to send forces against his own people.
