Busan–Masan Uprising

Bu-Ma Democratic protests(Hangul: 부마민주항쟁(釜馬民主抗爭) or 부마민중항쟁(釜馬民衆抗爭)) is the protest against Yushin regime(Hangul: 유신정권), 1979 October 16th to October 20th in Republic of Korea in the Busan and Gyeongnam Masan (now Changwon). In October 16th, Busan University student's start Democracy demonstrations with relief "Abolition Yushin"(Hangul: 유신철폐). In October 17th, protest started spread to Citizens class, protest was spread to Masan in 18th and 19th.

At that time, Yushin regime President Park Chung-hee declared martial law in October 18th, referred to the military court 66 people, October 20th noon, Park Chung-hee invoke the garrison act and move the army. And that 59 civilian was brought to military court.

Bu-Ma Democratic Protest
Date	October 16–20, 1979
Location	Busan, Masan, South Korea
Caused by	Yushin dictatorship of Park Chung-hee
Goals	Democratization
Methods	Protest
Resulted in	Several civilian and military casualties
Parties
Busan, Masan citizenry ROK Army ROKA SWC
Number
Over 10000
Casualties and losses
arrest: 1058 detention: 125

Background

Republic of Korea National Assembly election accomplished 1978 December, was influenced election of authority and Illegal plutocracy. Nevertheless, ruling Republican Party was defeated in the opposition New Democratic Party(Hangul: 신민당). Than hot up democracy protests, intensity of suppression, such as arrested and imprisoned for democracy personage was strengthened. Same year august, YH Trading Co.Ltd's(Hangul: YH무역주식회사) woman workers strike with occupation New Democratic Party's headquarters, ruling Republican Party had disfellowship the governor of the opposition Kim Young-sam. It leads to resignation of all opposition party members of the National Assembly. In September, the democratization movement by college students begin to enlarge. Meanwhile, against the Kim Young-sam issue of the remarks expulsion on a parliamentary seat in detention and disposal of a backlash also has a point of view that started Bu-Ma democratic struggle.

Before I arrive Bu-Ma, I thought this demo was played a key role by Namminjeon(남조선민족해방전선준비위원회, 南朝鮮民族解放戰線準備委員會) or students, but it wasn't on the ground. We arrested 160 people, only 16 was students, the others are regular citizens. Also by watching demonstration aspect, people who participate in demonstrations and people who support them by providing food, drinks and harbour them from police are fully understand one another. Protesters slogan was 'Opposition to the system', 'Opposition to a tax', 'Mistrust of the government'. Those slogan affected to burn 11 police station, to destroy about 10 police vehicle. - Kim Jae-gye, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Conclusions after inspecting on the ground.

Progress

• May 3rd. 1979 - National convention of New Democratic Party, the Moderate party Yi Cheol-seung defected, Ginger group Kim Young-sam elected
• August 11th. 1979 - YH case occurred
• October 4th. 1979 - the ruling Republicans expelled Kim Yound-sam, representative of New Democratic Party, from member of the National Assembly by rush through a revised bill
• October 16th. 1979 - Bu-Ma Democratic Protests occurred. 5000 Busan University student protesters shout slogans "Dispose Yushin regime", "Stop political oppression" on campus. Advance to downtown in the evening.
• October 17th. 1979 - Join of the civilians. Protest continuous spread. Chungmu police substation, the Korea Broadcasting System, Seo-gu Office, Busan tax office destroyed. Police vehicles was burned or damaged.
• October 18th. 1979 - Government, proclaimed martial law in Busan at 12:00 A.M. Input martial military arrested 1,058 people, put 66 people on trial.
• October 19th. 1979 - Masan University, Kyungnam University student protested at Masan region. Democratic Republican Party building · police substation · broadcasting station was damaged.
• October 20th. 1979 - Laborer, high school students joined protest. Invoke the garrison act at Masan.
• October 26th. 1979 - President Park Chung-hee was assassinated(10.26 incident)

Influence

This incident incited conflict inside the government, which led to early ending of the Yushin regime that was maintained by an emergency measure. This kind of protest influenced 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, June Democracy Movement.

After

Democracy park to honor the Bu-Ma democratic protests was made at Busan, also monument was installed at Masan.

October 13th. 2014 - Bu-Ma democratic protests truth ascertainment · compensation committee has been officially established.

May 18th. 2015 - Related laws passed. But being criticized by fairness of selecting committee member and their action plan.