| |
| 1972, Nov |
| |
| The Yusin Constitution was to institute new rejuvenating reforms, from the top down. The period 1972–79 is often considered the Yusin era. Student opposition grew in force as Pak continually abandoned his promises to liberalize the political system. | 1 |
| The economic plan of the Pak regime from 1972 forward greatly stressed heavy industry and exports, but during 1971–72 efforts were also made to shore up support for the regime among the conservative farming populace with the New Village movement, in which the government paid greater heed to rural development. | 2 |
| |
| 1973, Aug. 8 |
| |
| Kim Tae-jung was kidnapped from his hotel in Tokyo by agents of the KCIA who planned to assassinate him. After the case exploded internationally, he was taken back to his home in Seoul and released on Aug. 13. | 3 |
| |
| 1975, May |
| |
| Like the National Security Law and similar acts used to stifle opposition, Emergency Measure No. 9 was issued. Henceforth, any criticism of the president was a criminal act. | 4 |
| In the spring, the “Koreagate” scandal reached the headlines. High-level KCIA agents were trying to buy influence within the U.S. government. | 5 |
| |
| 1976 |
| |
| Over the previous 30-year period, the U.S. had provided South Korea with economic and military aid to the amount of $12.6 billion. | 6 |
| |
| 1979, Oct |
| |
A more visibly antigovernment wing of the NDP, led by KIM Y NG-SAM (Kim Young Sam, b. 1927), took control of the NDP. The DRP (Oct. 4) voted to oust Kim from the National Assembly. Demonstrations and protests exploded, calling for Kim's rehabilitation and Pak's resignation. | 7 |
| |
| Oct. 26 |
| |
| As the demonstrations grew in the Pusan area, a disagreement emerged between Pak and the head of the KCIA, Kim Chae-gyu (1926–80). Pak wanted to send in the army; Kim sought a compromise. Kim assassinated Pak and his main bodyguard, Ch'a Chi-ch'ol. | 8 |
| |
| Dec. 7 |
| |
| Emergency Measure No. 9 was canceled; hundreds were released from jail (Dec. 7–8). Kim regained his civil rights on Feb. 29, 1980. | 9 |
| |
| Dec. 12–13 |
| |
A new junta began to seize power when Maj. Gen. Ch n Tu-hwan (Chn Doo Hwan, b. 1931) arrested the army's chief of staff for a link to the Pak assassination. Then, Chn's ally, Maj. Gen. No T'ae-u (Roh Tae Woo, b. 1932), sealed off the city of Seoul with troops and armaments. In a protracted battle, they overcame the army headquarters. Roh took over as head of the Capital Garrison Command. The third main collaborator, Maj. Gen. Ch ng Ho-yong, became special forces commander. | 10 |
| |
| |
