Social:Busan American Cultural Service building arson

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[ ⚑ ] 35°06′10″N 129°01′52″E / 35.102689°N 129.031176°E / 35.102689; 129.031176 The 1982 Busan arson attack or Busan American Council Fire Accidents (Hangeul: 부산 미국문화원 방화사건, Hanja: 釜山美國文化院放火事件) was an Anti-American attack against the United States Information Service building in Busan on 18 March 1982. The attack resulted in the death of a Dong-a University student who was studying in the building; three others were injured.[1]

Aftermath

In June 1982, 16 people were put on trial in Busan for involvement in the attack. Theology student Moon Pu-shik (23) admitted the arson charge, saying the fire was a protest against US support for the Chun Doo-hwan dictatorship, particularly the suppression of the Gwangju Uprising. The other defendants included journalist Kim Hyong-jang (32) and Reverend Choi Ki-shik (39) head of the Catholic education center in Wonju, who was accused of sheltering the attackers.[2] In August 1982 Kim Hyong-jang and Moon Pu-shik were sentenced to death for the arson, while Moon's wife Kim Un-suk (24) and Lee Mi-ok (21), were sentenced to life imprisonment.[1] Following pleas for mercy from the US and protests by Catholic and Protestant groups, Kim and Moon's death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in March 1983.[3] Their sentences were reduced to 20 years in 1988.[4][5] Moon Pu-shik was released from prison in 1988 after having served six years and nine months in prison.

The former USIS building now houses the Busan Modern History Museum.

See also

  • Gwangju massacre
  • Yangju highway incident
  • Anti-American sentiment in Korea
  • Anti-Americanism
  • Socialism in South Korea

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "2 Sentenced to Death In Korean Arson Case". New York Times. 11 August 1982. https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/11/world/2-sentenced-to-death-in-korean-arson-case.html. 
  2. ↑ "Political trial under way in Korea". New York Times. 15 June 1982. https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/16/world/political-trial-under-way-in-korea.html. 
  3. ↑ "Chun spares 2 doomed in Korean arson case". New York Times. 18 March 1983. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/16/world/chun-spares-2-doomed-in-korean-arson-case.html. 
  4. ↑ Freedom of Expression in the Republic of Korea. Human Rights Watch. 1988. pp. 78–9. ISBN 9780929692029. 
  5. ↑ "Seoul declares an amnesty but not for everyone". New York Times. 27 February 1988. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/27/world/seoul-declares-an-amnesty-but-not-for-everyone.html. 

External links




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