58 years ago today, one of the most important political protests in South Korea's history took place, leading to the fall of the oppressive and corrupt Rhee Syngman government.<br />Scores of people died in the protests,... sacrificing their lives in order to try and end corruption and state violence.<br />Mok Yeon Kim takes us back to history. <br /> Today marks the 58th anniversary of the April 19th revolution.<br />On March 15th, 1960, labor and student groups held a protest against electoral corruption by the first republic of South Korea, which was controlled by the nation's first president Rhee Syngman.<br />A body discovered in Masan Harbor on April 11th, which was found to be of a student, who was killed during the March protests, became the basis of a national movement against electoral corruption in Korea.<br />The protests were once again violently suppressed, leading to a massive demonstration before the presidential office on April 19th, in which 21 people died and hundreds were injured.<br />The protests grew larger day by day as professors and other citizens began to join the students, nearly throwing the country into complete anarchy. <br />As a result of the pro-democracy movement, after one week of protests, President Rhee stepped down on April 26th.<br /> Since then, the day has been celebrated as a national memorial day, to remember the courageous citizens who fought for freedom in Korea.<br /><br /> "To commemorate the historic event, this year Seoul city installed a special copperplate here, in front of the Blue House, where the police first opened fire at rallying citizens on April 19th, 1960."<br /><br /> The copperplate was installed, with hopes that the nation can remember the power of democracy and the brave resistance against state violence.<br /><br />Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News. <br />
