Korea in 1970

Rapid growth under the government's economic development plans continued, and the opening of the Gyeongbu Expressway and the launch of the Saemaul (New Village) Movement put national and rural development into high gear. At the same time, the Wawoo Apartment collapse and Jeon Tae-il's self-immolation brought the costs of fast industrialization—unsafe construction and harsh labor conditions—into public view.

The year in Korea

AprA building of the Wawoo citizens' apartment complex in Mapo, Seoul, collapsed due to shoddy construction, causing many casualties. [Source]
AprPresident Park Chung Hee proposed the Saemaul (New Village) Movement to improve living conditions in rural villages. [Source]
JulThe Gyeongbu Expressway linking Seoul and Busan opened along its full length. [Source]
NovJeon Tae-il, a garment cutter at Seoul's Pyeonghwa Market, died after setting himself on fire to demand that the Labor Standards Act be enforced. [Source]
DecThe passenger ship Namyoung sank en route from Jeju to Busan, leaving more than 300 people dead or missing. [Source]

Around the world

AprNASA's Apollo 13 suffered an in-flight emergency, but its three astronauts returned safely to Earth. [Source]

Songs, shows & trends

TV drama

TBC daily drama “Assi” — Premiering in March 1970, it became a hugely popular daily drama. [Source]

Books

Kim Chi-ha – “Five Bandits” — A satirical ballad lampooning the elite, its publication led to the poet's arrest. [Source]

Year League: the best year

Sources

Each [Source] link points to the Wikipedia article for that item. Wikipedia content is available under CC BY-SA. More about this year on Wikipedia

Korea Then

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