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| 1982 |
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The Japanese government of Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro floated a $4 billion loan to the Ch n regime. Japanese business interests in Korea mushroomed. | 1 |
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| 1983 |
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| At this point in time, North Korea had a population of 19.2 million; South Korea had a population of 59.1 million. | 2 |
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| 1986, May |
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| Massive antigovernment demonstrations and violence among students, workers, and the police erupted in Inch'on. They were followed by similar protests in Seoul (late October). | 3 |
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| 1987, Jan |
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| A student at Seoul National University was tortured to death by the police, and the police actually admitted it, the first time in Korea's history that law enforcement had publicly stated its involvement in a crime. | 4 |
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| April 13 |
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| Chn barred all public discussion of constitutional emendation; he had in the previous year (April) agreed to a dialogue on this issue, but then pulled an about-face. That action and the announcement on June 10 of the DRP candidate for president, No T'ae-u, set off more popular protests. Street fighting ensued in Seoul. | 5 |
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| June 29 |
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| In a surprise move, No promulgated an eight-point plan of reform, with Kim Tae-jung's rights restored, human rights for all, freedom for many political prisoners, and an end to press censorship. Chn accepted this plan (July 1). Part of the background of this sharp change of direction and opening up of the political system had to do with South Korea's hosting of the Summer Olympic Games in the next year, which was intended to strengthen Korea's reputation and role in the international community. | 6 |
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| Oct. 27 |
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The National Assembly ratified a new constitution with provisions for direct presidential elections, which were to be held on Dec. 16. However, the two opposition leaders, Kim Tae-jung and Kim Y ng-sam, could not agree between themselves and thus split the opposition vote. No T'ae-u was elected with 37 percent of the vote; Kim Yng-sam received 28 percent and Kim Tae-jung 27 percent. | 7 |
| Following the model of Japan, South Korea sought economic development through acquiring international markets. Exports reached $47 billion in 1987, as compared with $33 million in 1960. The huge Korean conglomerates (chaebol), such as Hyundai and Samsung, fueled the economic expansion. Through the 1980s, South Korea's trade surplus with the U.S. soared, like Japan's. | 8 |
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