A constitutional amendment allowing a third presidential term was rammed through the National Assembly and then confirmed by referendum. North Korea shot down a U.S. Navy EC-121 aircraft and hijacked a Korean Air Lines airliner. MBC began television broadcasting, and ramen consumption surged amid campaigns promoting mixed-grain and flour-based meals.
The year in Korea
Apr 15A U.S. Navy EC-121 early-warning aircraft was shot down by North Korean fighters over the East Sea, killing all 31 crew. [Source]
Jul 21The Gajwa–Incheon section of the Gyeongin Expressway opened. [Source]
Sep 14A constitutional amendment allowing a president to serve three consecutive terms was pushed through the National Assembly irregularly on a Sunday. [Source]
Oct 17The three-term amendment was confirmed in a national referendum. [Source]
Dec 11A Korean Air Lines YS-11 flying from Gangneung to Seoul was hijacked by a North Korean sleeper agent and forced to land in the North. [Source]
DecThe Third Han River Bridge (now Hannam Bridge) opened, marking the starting point of Gangnam's development. [Source]
Jul 20America's Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, and humans walked on its surface for the first time. [Source]
Songs, shows & trends
TV & broadcasting
MBC television launches — Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation began television broadcasts from its Jeong-dong building on August 8. [Source]
Everyday life
Mixed-grain and flour meals, and ramen — Amid policies promoting mixed-grain and flour-based meals to ease rice shortages, 15 million packs of ramen were sold in 1969. [Source]
Music
Pearl Sisters – “A Cup of Coffee” — With this Shin Joong-hyun song, they became the first girl group to win the top prize at MBC's Top 10 Singers awards. [Source]
Kim Chu-ja debuts — She emerged with a debut album of songs by Shin Joong-hyun. [Source]
Na Hoon-a – “Love Is the Seed of Tears” — Released in 1969, it was a big hit along with “A Thousand-Li Road” and “Longing for You.” [Source]
Year League: the best year
Sources
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1960s · Revolution and the Start of Industrialization
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