Korea in 1991

Local council elections in March and June revived local self-government after some 30 years. Inter-Korean relations advanced as the two Koreas joined the UN simultaneously in September and adopted the Basic Agreement in December. The phenol spill into the Nakdong River heightened public concern about the environment.

The year in Korea

MarElections for basic-level local councils were held, reviving local assemblies after some 30 years. [Source]
MarPhenol leaked from a factory in Gumi, contaminating drinking water drawn from the Nakdong River. [Source]
AprMyongji University student Kang Kyung-dae was beaten to death by riot police during a protest, triggering mass demonstrations. [Source]
SepSouth and North Korea were admitted to the United Nations simultaneously. [Source]
DecThe two Koreas signed the Basic Agreement on reconciliation, non-aggression, exchanges and cooperation. [Source]

Around the world

JanA U.S.-led coalition launched attacks on Iraq, escalating the Gulf War. [Source]
DecThe Soviet Union was dissolved. [Source]

Songs, shows & trends

Sports

Unified Korean team at the World Table Tennis Championships — A joint North–South team competed in Chiba, Japan, and won the women's team title. [Source]

TV drama

MBC “Eyes of Dawn” — This epic spanning Japanese colonial rule through the Korean War drew huge attention. [Source]
MBC weekend drama “What Is Love” — Its comic take on a patriarchal household and a young married couple made it a smash hit. [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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