58 years ago today, one of the most important political protests in South Korea's history took place, leading to the fall of the oppressive and corrupt Rhee Syngman government.
Scores of people died in the protests,... sacrificing their lives in order to try and end corruption and state violence.
Mok Yeon Kim takes us back to history.
Today marks the 58th anniversary of the April 19th revolution.
On March 15th, 1960, labor and student groups held a protest against electoral corruption by the first republic of South Korea, which was controlled by the nation's first president Rhee Syngman.
A body discovered in Masan Harbor on April 11th, which was found to be of a student, who was killed during the March protests, became the basis of a national movement against electoral corruption in Korea.
The protests were once again violently suppressed, leading to a massive demonstration before the presidential office on April 19th, in which 21 people died and hundreds were injured.
The protests grew larger day by day as professors and other citizens began to join the students, nearly throwing the country into complete anarchy.
As a result of the pro-democracy movement, after one week of protests, President Rhee stepped down on April 26th.
Since then, the day has been celebrated as a national memorial day, to remember the courageous citizens who fought for freedom in Korea.
"To commemorate the historic event, this year Seoul city installed a special copperplate here, in front of the Blue House, where the police first opened fire at rallying citizens on April 19th, 1960."
The copperplate was installed, with hopes that the nation can remember the power of democracy and the brave resistance against state violence.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
