Korean History Questions
1. The minjung movement was an important part of Korean history. It transformed from a strong student movement into something that shaped Korean national identity. It was caused by “the rapid economic development and urbanization of Korea” (Robinson, 143) that distanced the Korean society from its traditions and culture. Eventually, this student movement got very politicized. It was a reaction to oppressive domestic policy of Park Chung-hee that resulted in massive student protests. Then, minjung movement developed “a fierce nationalist commitment to Korean independence in economic and international affairs” (Robinson, 186). Park Chung-hee may be called one of the main actor who caused minjung movement. When he started to repress the political activity of students and intervene in campus affairs (Robinson, 135), it only provoked student activists to act more resolutely and aggressively. It resulted in one of the most fierce student protests in the 1960s. At the same time, one of the most important issues became the spread of Communism, Anti-Americanism and Korean nationalism in the minjung movement.
The political situation in Korea did not changed too much when Park Chung-hee left the office, although it caused the rise of the minjung movement that initiated massive demonstrations in 1979. However, the
further presidents Choi Kyu-hah and especially Chun Doo-hwan were almost as totalitarian as Park Chun-hee. Chun later appointed Rho Tae Woo as his successor that caused “worst street fighting in the summer of 1987”
(Robinson, 144). As well as in the previous protests, students were the leading force of the minjung movement. It was one of the most remarkable events in the history of minjung movement because almost every city in
South Korea participated in the protests in 1987. The crisis ended only after Rho Tae Woo signed the Declaration of Democratization and Reforms (Robinson, 145). Meanwhile, Kim Dae-jung became one of the leaders of opposition and minjung movement. He is one of the main figures in the movement who struggled for democracy and finally succeeded.
2. The relations between Choson and the United States began with the American expedition to Korea in 1871 that failed to end Korean isolationism. However, in 1882, Choson and the United States finally signed
the treaty that gave Americans a lot of advantages in trade and international relations with Korea, while Choson received formal promise of protection by Americans in case of third party involvement. However, after
establishment of the Japanese protectorate, the United States did not make serious attempts to protect Korea from annexation. During the Japanese colonial administration, the United States kept low profile not only in
Korea, but in Northeast Asia (Robinson, 104). The relations between America and Korea changed after the World War Two when Japanese occupation of Korea ended. After the joint occupation of Korea by the Soviet Union and the …
