The February 28th Democracy Movement

Preface
System of Romanization
An Outline of the February 28th Democracy Movement

Chapter 1. The Backgrounds of the February 28th Democracy Movement
1. Political Background
1.1. Establishment of the Rhee Syng-Man Government and its Dictatorship
1.2. The Presidential and Vice Presidential Election of 1960

2. Economic Background
2.1. Failure to Establish a National Economy
2.2. Economic Recession

3. Regional Background
3.1. Student Independence Movement in Daegu during Japanese Colonial Rule
3.2. Political Leanings of Daegu Citizens
3.2.1. Daegu Citizens’ Consciousness Structure
3.2.2. Political Trends and Daegu as the Opposition City

Chapter 2. The Unfolding of the February 28th Democracy Movement
1. The Sunday Attendance Directive
2. A Call for Action
3. The Development of Each School’s Participation
3.1. Kyeongbuk High School
3.2. Daegu High School
3.3. Kyungpook National University High School
3.4. Gyungbuk Girls’ High School
3.5. Daegu Girls’ High School
3.6. Daegu Technical High School
3.7. Daegu Agriculture and Forestry High School(Currently Daegu Agricultural Meister
High School)
3.8. Daegu Commercial High School(Currently Daegu Sangwon High School)
4. Nationwide Consequences
4.1. Student Demonstrations in Seoul
4.2. Student Demonstrations in Daejeon
4.3. Student Demonstrations in Busan
4.4. March 15th Masan Demonstrations
4.5. The April 19th Revolution

Chapter 3. Succession to the April 19th Revolution
1. The Unfolding of the April 19th Revolution
2. Immediate Consequences and Effects of the April 19th Revolution
2.1. Unfolding of Democratization Movement in Educational Institutions
2.1.1. Movement for Self-governing Student Associations
2.1.2. The Expulsion of the Government-controlled Teachers and a Clean-up
Movement for Corrupted Foundations
2.1.3. Sympathy and Support from Teachers’ Unions
2.2. The Unfolding of the Social and Political Reform Movements
2.2.1. The Unfolding of the New Life Movement
2.2.2. Demand for Dissolution of the Fourth National Assembly
2.2.3. Movement for the Elimination of Anti- Democratic and Corrupted Forces
2.3. The Unfolding of the Self-reliance, Democracy, and Unification Movements
2.3.1. The Movement for the Restoration of School Property and the Opposition to
Economic Cooperation between Korea and the United States
2.3.2. A Movement against the Two Unjust Laws
2.3.3. Unification Movement

Chapter 4. The Historical Significance of the February 28th Democracy Movement
1. Students’ Understanding of the Motives for the Movement
2. Organization of Leadership
2.1. The Formation of New Modern Societal Authorities
2.2. The Loose Solidarity of Students, Citizens, and the Press

3. Continuation of Struggles
3.1. The February 28th Democracy Movement’s Influence on People, to Have Courage
and Confidence to Fight against the Rhee Syng-Man Dictatorship
3.1.1. Overcoming Political Nihilism
3.1.2. The Meaning of ‘a Sleepless Night’: Sacrificial Spirit and Courage
3.2. The February 28th Democracy Movement Being not Improvised, but Conducted
with a Careful and Courageous Plan Based on the Extensive Consensus among
Students
3.3. The February 28th Democracy Movement being the Beginning of the Journey that
was inherited by the April 19th Revolution

Appendices: Photo Illustrations
Appendix 1: Photos from the Day of the Movement
Appendix 2: Photos of the Memorials in Honor of the Movement
Appendix 3: Photos from the Eight Participating Schools

The February 28th Democracy Movement was a spontaneous stand against the dictatorial government regime and was started by students from eight public high schools in Daegu on February 28th, 1960. The Society for the 2·28 Movement for Democracy was established in February of 1990 to commemorate this movement. In order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the movement, and put this movement into global context, the Society is publishing the English version of The February 28th Democracy Movement: Korea’s First Democratic Movement.