April 19th Revolution

April 19th Revolution

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Above is an insight to the April Revolution in the Second Republic of South Korea. On April 19th 1960, South Korea’s first president Syngman Rhee resigned due to the success of the student revolution. Not only did this movement restore democracy in South Korea, it also prevented further corruption of the government. This movement was instigated by the death of Kim Ju-yul, a high school student involved in a protest. The people of South Korea were discontent with the elections, constant alterations to the constitution, and economic struggles that were happening under Rhee’s presidency. Rhee’s attack on Korean University students was reason enough for the people to end his reign. The number of rallies and marches increased until the end of April, causing the police to withdraw. Rhee finally resigned and the Liberal Party government came to an end. http://www.ohmynews.com/down/inarticle/010417_nohf15_a.jpg

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Citation:Kim, C. I. Eugene, and Ke-soo Kim (1964). "The April 1960 Korean Student Movement", The Western Political Quarterly, 17(1).