Yonsei University, Student Protests
- Artist/Author/Producer: Student protesters
- Confronting Bodies: South Korean Government
- Dates of action: June 9, 1988
- Location: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Description of the Art Work
- "... An estimated 10-15,000 students rallied on June 9, 1988 at
Yonsei University in support of the reunification of North and South
Korea... "
- Description of incident
- "... A week earlier, the government had announced a liberalisation of
its policy on public discussion of reunification, which, in previous
years, had been strictly prohibited. However, a planned march to the
border village of Panmunjom, where students hoped to discuss
reunification with a delegation of North Korean students, was blocked by
the mobilization of more than 50,000 police. The government
characterised the march as a propaganda exercise. "Yonhap," the state news
agency, reported demonstrations at 57 Universities nationwide, resulting
in 200 arrests... "
- Results of incident
- "... The student protests were a contributing factor to what may be
a major shift in South Korean policy toward the North. In an attempt to
forestall independent student efforts to meet with their counterparts,
the government has put forth its own proposals aimed at "South-North
reconciliation and cooperation."
Source: Asia Watch, "Freedom of Expression in the Republic of Korea," August, 1988,
Pg. 14-15