June Democracy Movement (Hangul: 6월 민주항쟁) refers to nationalwide democracy movement in South Korea from June 10 to June 29, 1987. As the 12th president Chun Doo-hwan avowed protection of the Constitution that prohibits a direct election, people started to rise up against the declaration over the whole country. It led to the first democratic election in 1987 and the transition to the Sixth Republic. Finally on June 29, Roh Tae-woo pronounced 6.29 Declaration which promised to amend the Constitution.
Background edit
Avowing protection of the Constitution edit
South Korea had adopted a indirect election since the 5-9th president Park Chung-hee, amended the Constitution for coming into power in 1972(Yusin Constitution). As Choi Kyu-ha acts for the president after Park Chung-hee was assasinated, Chun Doo-hwan effected Coup d'état of December Twelfth, and persisted the Constitution that prohibits a direct election.
Ending his tenure, people expected to amend the Constitution. But Chun Doo-hwan avowed protection of the Constitution to preserve authority on April 13. People who heard his declaration rose up for the democracy.
Torture resulting in death of Park Jong-chul edit
In 1980s, many activist students in universities struggled against Chun Doo-hwan's dictatorship and for compromise of Gwangju Massacre. Park Jong-chul was one of those students who was the president of the student council in the lingustics department of Seoul National University. In investigation of his senior, Park Jong-chul refused to confess his whereabouts. As he didn't help the investigation, authority committed water torture resulting in his death.
The accident was suppressed at first. But as revealed the truth by Catholic Priests Association for Justice (CPAJ), the news that he died by water torture was exposed on May 18. CPAJ planned to demonstrate for him on June 10, which is called '박종철군 고문치사 조작, 은폐 규탄 및 호헌철폐 국민대회'.
Decease of Lee Han-yeol edit
As '박종철군 고문치사 조작, 은폐 규탄 및 호헌철폐 국민대회' was going to be held, students in Yonsei University swore to take the field and demonstrated at the university on June 9. Proceeding the demonstration, Yonsei student Lee Han-yeol got injured by a tear gas grenade which had penetrated back of his head. The death of the student angered people and made them struggle against authority. Finally, he died on July 5. The national funeral for him held on July 9. About 1,600,000 citizens participated the funeral.
Timeline edit
Before June 10 edit
On January 14, Park Jong-chul died of water torture. Although the police suppressed the accident at first, it was expossed by CPAJ on May 18, and people started to rise up against authority. At that time, Chun's tenure was going to be wound up. People expected Chun to allow a direct election, but Chun declared protection of the Constitution on April 14. The next day, Stephen Kim Sou-hwan stated situation that criticizes it.
Finally, 'Organization of national campaign for securing the democratic Constitution'(민주헌법쟁취국민운동본부, also called Guk-bon) was established by oppositions and Democratic Reunification Party at Hyanglin Church on May 27. They declared to struggle against 4.13 protection of the Constitution and for a direct election. On June 9, Younsei student Lee Han-yeol got injured by a tear gas granade.
June 10 - June 29 edit
On June 10, Roh Tae-woo was nominated as a candidate for the presidency in a party convention of Democratic Justice Party at Jamsil Arena. At that time, '박종철군 고문치사 조작, 은폐 규탄 및 호헌철폐 국민대회' was being held participating about 240,000 people in 22 cities including Seoul. Many people of all social standings joined and supported participants.
On June 18, the greatest number of peopole filled the road participating 1,500,000 people at 'National rally for banishment of tear gas granades' (최루탄추방국민대회) by Guk-bon in 16 cities. Finally, white collar workers who had been in in silent cheered and supported participants by throwing toilet rolls and clapping them. The struggle was going to be more and more heated. On June 26, 'Great national march of peace'(국민평화대행진) was held by Guk-bon participating 1,000,000 people in 34 cities and 3,467 people were taken to the police station.
Eventually, Roh Tae-woo, who was nominated as a candidate for the presidency of Democratic Justice Party, pronounced 6.29 Declaration which promises to amend the Constitution and to release Kim Dae-jung.
Aftermath edit
The 9th Constitution edit
After 6.9 declaration, amendment of the Constitution was started. As people strongly demanded a direct election, on October 12, the Constitutional bill was passed, and approved on October 28, taking effect on February 25, 1988, when Roh Tae-woo was inaugurated as president. The 9th Constitution strengthened civil rights. Natural and legal rights were specified in the Constitution. It allows a direct election, to degrade the power of president, and to reinforce the power of National Assembly of Korea.
The first democratic election in South Korea edit
As Roh Tae-woo was nominated as a candidate for the presidency of Democratic Justice Party on June 10, Chun supported Roh Tae-woo. When Chun had a dinner with Roh Tae-woo, Chun said Roh Tae-woo to consider a direct election so help him to be elected. As 6.29 declaration was pronounced, the desire of democracy sank. Two weeks before presidental election on December 16, Korean Air Flight 858 exploded when it was flying to Bangkok. The exposure of the truth that the accident was Kim Jung-il's conspiracy and theremoval of Kim Hyon Hui onto Seoul the day before the election made profitable environment for Roh Tae-woo. Many people who were worried about winning of Roh Tae-woo desired Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam to unite but they both ran. As a result, the opposition vote was split in two, with Kim Young-sam receiving 28% and Kim Dae-jung 27% of the vote. The presidental election took place on December 16. Finally, the election was won by Roh Tae-woo receiving 36.6% and marked the beginning of the Sixth Republic. The voter turnout was 89.2%.
1987 Great Labor Action edit
After June democracy movement, Hyundai Engine Trade Union was established in Ulsan on July 3. Many workers started to unify labor unions and strike. Between July and September, new 1,060 labor unions were organized and walkouts occured 3,458 times.