Thursday, August 15, 2024

Thursday August 15, 1974. An attempted South Korean assassination.

South Korean, Japanese born, North Korean sympathizer, Mun Se-gwang attempted to assassinate South Korea's President Park Chung Hee but instead killed Yuk Young-soo, age 48, Park's wife.


In the ensewin gun battle Jang Bong-hwa, a member of a high school choir performing at the event, was killed. 

After the shooting and Mun's arrest, President Park resumed his address, which hardly seems appropriate.

Park composed the following poem in her honor:

Like a Long Magnolia Blossom Bending to the Wind

Under heavy silence

Of a house in mourning

Only the cry of cicadas

Maam, maam, maam

Seem to long for you who is now gone

Under the August sun

The Indian Lilacs turn crimson

As if trying to heal the wounds of the mind

My wife has departed alone

Only I am left

Like a lone magnolia blossom bending to the wind

Where can I appeal

The sadness of a broken heart

Last edition:

Wednesday, August 14, 1974. Second Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

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