In the April presidential election, Park Chung Hee defeated Kim Dae-jung to win a third term. Export-led growth continued, but the year was marked by major incidents including the Gwangju Housing Complex uprising, the Silmido incident and the Daeyeongak Hotel fire, while preliminary Red Cross talks opened the first channel of inter-Korean dialogue.
The year in Korea
AprPark Chung Hee defeated Kim Dae-jung in the 7th presidential election. [Source]
AugTens of thousands of residents of the Gwangju Housing Complex (now Seongnam), where evicted Seoul slum dwellers had been relocated, rose up demanding basic living provisions. [Source]
AugMembers of Unit 684, trained on Silmido island, mutinied and headed for Seoul, where most died in a firefight with security forces. [Source]
SepPreliminary talks between the South and North Korean Red Cross societies opened at Panmunjom. [Source]
DecA fire at the Daeyeongak Hotel in Myeong-dong, Seoul, caused massive loss of life. [Source]
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Around the world
OctThe UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2758, giving China's seat to the People's Republic of China. [Source]
Songs, shows & trends
Film
Kim Ki-young – “Woman of Fire” — A thriller remake of “The Housemaid,” regarded as one of Kim Ki-young's signature works. [Source]
Music
Yang Hee-eun – “Morning Dew” — Written by Kim Min-ki, it appeared on Yang's debut album and became a widely sung folk classic. [Source]
TV drama
MBC “Chief Inspector” — A long-running crime drama that aired from 1971 to 1989. [Source]
Gadgets & services
Nongshim “Saeukkang” shrimp crackers — Launched in December 1971, it became one of Korea's longest-selling snacks. [Source]
Haitai “Bravo Cone” — Released in February 1971, it was Korea's first cone ice cream. [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