Seoul, April 19: South Korea is celebrating the 66th anniversary of the April Revolution, a public uprising against the policies of the country’s first president, Rhee Syng-man. On April 19, 1960, the movement succeeded, forcing the president to resign. Current President Yoon Suk-yeol reflected on this historical event, vowing to uphold democratic values in the future.
In a speech marking the anniversary, President Yoon drew parallels between the uprising and former President Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law in 2024. He stated that the people’s “roar” helped topple a “arrogant and unjust regime.”
According to Yonhap News Agency, at the National Cemetery in northern Seoul, Yoon said, “It was the spirit of the April 19 uprising that ended the brutal dictatorship, enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, and that same spirit helped South Korea recover from the cold night of rebellion in December 2024.”
Emphasizing the need to defend democracy, Yoon remarked, “Only by protecting it can we prevent anti-democratic forces from reclaiming our freedom and trampling on the precious lives of our people.”
He added, “Dictatorships show no mercy to the poor and vulnerable and justify the destruction of democracy.” Yoon stressed that the responsibility of politics is to care for the livelihoods of the people, as the foundation of a nation’s existence lies with its citizens.
He pledged to maintain a democracy based on freedom, equality, unity, and solidarity, as these values are deeply embedded in the DNA of the Korean people.
Yoon also remembered the students who lost their lives during the uprising and expressed condolences to their families, committing to honor their sacrifices.
The April 19 civil uprising was sparked by public outrage over electoral fraud in the presidential elections conducted by the Rhee government. The protests culminated on April 19, resulting in clashes with armed police, leading to hundreds of demonstrators being killed or injured.
Ultimately, this uprising forced Rhee to resign after 12 years in power.
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