April Revolution - Causes

Causes

There are many different reasons that the April Revolution took place. The most commonly known reason why the Revolution took place was because of the corruption in government during the rule of President Rhee Syng-man. What tipped off the movement into quick motion was the discovery of Kim Ju-yul, a high school student involved in the protests and riots, dead on the shore of Masan beach. Although Kim Ju-yul's death was the main turning point, there were several other reasons why the movement progressed to the outcome of the April Revolution. Along with corruption in the government, there was also discontent in Korea involving the election riggings, economic difficulties, Rhee's being in power too long, police attacking Korea University students, and Rhee's support of a vice president unpopular among the general public.

In more detail, the Republic of Korea's first president, Rhee Syng-man was considered a corrupt man because he constantly amended the constitution as he pleased to extend his political power and extend his presidency.

During the 1960 election, two main parties were running against Rhee Syng-man. A small progressive party was represented by Cho Pong-am and, the leader of the Democratic party was represented by Cho Pyong-ok. Cho Pong-am was put in prison before the 1960 election and was soon executed afterward. Cho Pyong-ok went to America for a stomach operation but died of a heart attack in the States. The death of these two contestants seemed too much of a coincidence to the Korean public and they assumed that the deaths were the result of corruption.

The election of the vice president, which was done separately in Korea, was also considered unfair. According to the Korean Report, Democratic rallies were prohibited throughout the nation and hundreds of pre-marked ballots were stuffed into ballots on election day. When protesting started to become prominent, the military stayed neutral, but the police officers and thugs of the “anti-communist league” showed extreme violence leading to several deaths. These events were what ignited discontent among Korean students and citizens. The violence against the demonstrators was a catalyst for action among students and citizens.