Today in Korean history

Today in Korean history



May 26

1898 -- Korea opens three ports to foreign trade. People and goods from overseas
begin to stream into the country through Masan, Gunsan and Hamheung.

1952 -- Around 50 opposition lawmakers are arrested by military police after they
refused to support President Rhee Syngman's proposal to introduce a referendum
for a presidential election. Rhee saw little chance of re-election by the
parliament, two-thirds of which was controlled by independents.

1961 -- The United Nations takes back operational control of South Korea's
military following a coup led by Park Chung-hee. The country had regained control
of its military from the U.N. after the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

1978 -- Construction of a large petrochemical complex is completed in Yeocheon,
450 kilometers south of Seoul.

1992 -- Kim Dae-jung, then co-chairman of the opposition Millennium Democratic
Party, is named the party's candidate for the presidential election in December
that year. Kim lost to ruling party candidate Kim Young-sam, but won the next
election in 1997.

1995 -- North Korea publicly acknowledges its chronic food shortages and asks
Japan for rice aid.

1999 -- A South Korean-made satellite, KITSAT-3, is successfully launched into
orbit from the Sriharikota Range in Madras, India.

2002 -- Veteran director Im Kwon-taek wins the Best Director award at the Cannes
International Film Festival for "Chihwaseon", the story of an eminent Korean
painter in the late 19th century. Im became the first Korean to win the prize.
(END)