8-3-1. 4월혁명기 학생운동의 경향 [명순구, "자유·정의·진리의 여정"/고려대학교와 민주화운동: 반독재운동의 선봉/III. 민족·통일·민주 운동]

Summary

After the April Revolution, student activism focused on democratizing university life and expanded into campaigns for peaceful national unification and responses to major political and economic issues.

Campus self-governance

On April 29, 1960, professors and students from Seoul universities called for the dissolution of the government-aligned Student National Defense Corps. They argued that removing it was necessary to restore student self-governance and address pro-government influence on campus. The corps was dissolved on May 3, after which student councils and other organizations were formed.

Korea University’s autonomy initiative

Korea University students organized a replacement self-defense group and announced its establishment in September 1960. The video describes the arrangement as the first democratic student-autonomy agreement in Korean university history and as a foundation for student self-governing bodies.

Peaceful unification activism

The April Revolution encouraged students to move beyond the mindset of division and take up peaceful unification as a cause. Korea University students debated the issue at a nationwide university forum on September 24–25, 1960. In early 1961, they formed the Korea University National Unification League (Mintongnyeon) to coordinate the movement. Similar groups emerged at other universities.

Debate over the Korea–U.S. economic agreement

Mintongnyeon also addressed broader national issues. Supporters of the 1961 Korea–U.S. Economic and Technical Assistance Agreement argued that U.S. aid was vital to reconstruction and that the agreement’s requirements reflected international standards. Opponents argued that it infringed on Korea’s sovereignty and economic autonomy.

Student groups from 12 Seoul universities organized a campaign committee and held a rally at Pagoda Park on February 14, 1961. After the agreement was signed in April, Mintongnyeon began full-scale activity.

Inter-Korean student talks

On May 5, 1961, representatives of 18 universities, including Korea University, met to prepare a national student federation for unification and called for student talks between North and South Korea.

Interrupted momentum

The student movement increasingly connected social democratization with peaceful unification, with Korea University students playing a leading role. The May 16, 1961, military coup halted this development and frustrated the ideals of the April 19 movement.

Speakers and sources

• Narration: The supplied subtitles contain one continuous narration. The video title identifies Professor Myung Soon-gu as the presenter; no other speakers are identifiable in the subtitles.
• Organizations and groups discussed: Korea University students and student council; Mintongnyeon (Korea University National Unification League); the National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification of Korea; student organizations from Seoul universities; and the proposed National Student Federation for National Unification.