Busan American Cultural Service building arson
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35°06′10″N 129°01′52″E / 35.102689°N 129.031176°E The 1982 Busan arson attack or Busan American Council Fire Accidents (부산 미국문화원 방화사건; 釜山美國文化院放火事件) was an anti-American attack against the United States Information Service building in Busan on 18 March 1982. The attack resulted in the death of a Dong-a University student who was studying in the building; three others were injured.[1]
Aftermath
[edit]In June 1982, 16 people were put on trial in Busan for involvement in the attack. Theology student Moon Pu-shik (23) admitted the arson charge, saying the fire was a protest against US support for the Chun Doo-hwan dictatorship, particularly the suppression of the Gwangju Uprising. The other defendants included journalist Kim Hyong-jang (32) and Reverend Choi Ki-shik (39) head of the Catholic education center in Wonju, who was accused of sheltering the attackers.[2] In August 1982 Kim Hyong-jang and Moon Pu-shik were sentenced to death for the arson, while Moon's wife Kim Un-suk (24) and Lee Mi-ok (21), were sentenced to life imprisonment.[1] Following pleas for mercy from the US and protests by Catholic and Protestant groups, Kim and Moon's death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in March 1983.[3] Their sentences were reduced to 20 years in 1988.[4][5] Moon Pu-shik was released from prison in 1988 after having served six years and nine months in prison.
The former USIS building now houses the Busan Modern History Museum.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "2 Sentenced to Death In Korean Arson Case". New York Times. 11 August 1982. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ "Political trial under way in Korea". New York Times. 15 June 1982. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "Chun spares 2 doomed in Korean arson case". New York Times. 18 March 1983. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ Freedom of Expression in the Republic of Korea. Human Rights Watch. 1988. pp. 78–9. ISBN 9780929692029.
- ^ "Seoul declares an amnesty but not for everyone". New York Times. 27 February 1988. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
External links
[edit]- (in Korean) 민주화운동의 요람, 가톨릭과 기독교 김주완 2007년 07월 12일
- US Council Fire (Korean)
- Busan American Council Fire Accidents
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- Arson in South Korea
- Anti-American sentiment in South Korea
- Left-wing nationalism in South Korea
- South Korea–United States relations
- Political history of South Korea
- 1982 in South Korea
- 1982 crimes in South Korea
- History of Busan
- 1980s fires in Asia
- 1982 fires
- 1982 disasters in South Korea
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