#1. Twenty years from struggle to celebration

Yun Kim
English
10 June, 2007
Paul Kang
#1. Twenty years from struggle to celebration

Twenty years ago, on June 10, 1987, the country was gripped by massive protests ,as students and workers joined ordinary citizens to stand up against riot police in a in a symbolic battle for the heart of nation. A day before the riot, Lee Han-yeol ,a civic activist who admires democracy, was seriously injured in the head by tear-gas canister at Yonsei University, and his injury became trigger for mass rallies. The plaza in front of Seoul City Hall was filled with tens of thousands of protesters risking tear gas and injury to fight for a democratic future. At the end of struggle, the military government of Chun Doo-hwan had to give away to democratic elections.
Yesterday, on June 10, 2007, thousands of people gathered nationwide as 20years ago again to commemorate the uprising with festivals and ceremony to commemorate the death of Lee-Han-yeol. Recording to the survey of Yonsei and Ehwa Women universities, only one out of ten had clearly understanding of Lee Han-yeol. In other words, young people are unaware of 1987. Therefore, last day's ceremony was not only to remember the massive protests but also to teach young people to find out how precious is democracy.