Gwangju Uprising and martial law period (May 1980–1981)

1. Park Chung-hee assassinated, political vacuum opens

   Oct 26, 1979Labels: Park Chung-hee

   • Britannica

2. Chun’s May 17 coup expands nationwide martial law

   May 17, 1980Labels: Chun Doo-hwan, Martial Law

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

3. Opposition leader Kim Dae-jung arrested

   May 17, 1980Labels: Kim Dae-jung

   • UPI
   • AAS

4. Gwangju protests begin at Chonnam National University

   May 18, 1980Labels: Chonnam National, Gwangju

   • Britannica

5. Military assault intensifies, widening the uprising

   May 20, 1980Labels: Military forces, Gwangju

   • Britannica

6. Citizens seize weapons as state control collapses locally

   May 21, 1980Labels: Protesters, Police stations

   • Britannica

7. Operation to retake Gwangju crushes the uprising

   May 27, 1980Labels: Martial Law, Gwangju

   • Britannica
   • 518 Foundation

8. President Choi Kyu-hah resigns amid military dominance

   Aug 16, 1980Labels: Choi Kyu-hah

   • Britannica
   • Korea Times

9. Chun chosen president in indirect election

   Aug 27, 1980Labels: Chun Doo-hwan

   • NEC Museum
   • Britannica

10. Constitutional referendum approves Fifth Republic framework

    Oct 22, 1980Labels: Fifth Republic, Constitutional referendum

    • NEC Museum

11. Kim Dae-jung’s death sentence affirmed on appeal

    Nov 2, 1980Labels: Kim Dae-jung, Military tribunal

    • UPI
    • AAS

12. Press “merger and abolition” policy adopted under junta

    Nov 11, 1980Labels: Press policy, Chun government

    • Wiki

13. Chun lifts nationwide martial law

    Jan 24, 1981Labels: Chun Doo-hwan

    • UPI
    • AP

14. Chun reelected under new constitution’s indirect system

    Feb 25, 1981Labels: Chun Doo-hwan, Electoral college

    • Wiki
    • AAS

15. National Assembly elections consolidate Fifth Republic politics

    Mar 25, 1981Labels: National Assembly, Democratic Justice

    • NEC Museum
    • Wiki