During the 80s in Korea, many student activists in universities struggled against the military dictatorship. One of those students was Park Jong-cheol, who the president of the student council in Seoul National University. He was detained but refused to confess the whereabouts of one of his fellow activists. During interrogation, authorities used waterboarding techniques to torture him, eventually leading to his death. The truth surrounding the events of Park Jong-chol's death was revealed to the public on May 18, further inflaming public sentiment.

Students of Yonsei University swore to take the field and demonstrated at the university on June 9. During the protest, Yonsei student Lee Han-yeol was seriously injured when a tear gas grenade penetrated his skull. In critical condition, he quickly became a symbol of the subsequent protests over the weeks that followed.

The next day, major demonstrations occurred throughout the country, with an estimated 240,000 people participating in 22 cities including Seoul. On June 18, the National rally for banishment of tear gas grenades brought 1.5 million people into the streets across at least 16 cities. White collar workers, who had before remained on the sidelines, joined the protests- throwing rolls of toilet paper, applauding and otherwise voicing their support. By the end of the month, the government capitulated to the demands of the protesters by promising to amend the Constitution, thus bringing a new era of democracy in South Korea.

Lee Han-yeol finally died of his wounds on July 5, after the regime had agreed to the people's demands. Over 1.6 million citizens participated in his national funeral held on July 9.