lang: en
Summary
In August 1979, 187 women workers from the YH wig manufacturing company occupied the headquarters of the New Democratic Party in Seoul to protest the company’s closure. After three days, riot police forcibly evicted them, killing one protester and arresting leaders. Although the immediate demands were not met, the incident sparked widespread opposition that contributed to the downfall of President Park Chung-hee’s military regime later that year.
Background
Workers at YH wig manufacturing company had been in conflict with management since 1975 over low wages, illegal firings, and fund siphoning. In April 1979, the company announced closure, citing debt and union demands, leading to strikes that failed when utilities were cut off. The women workers then sought to generate public support by moving their protest to the opposition party headquarters.
What happened
On 9 August 1979, 187 women workers from the YH labour union occupied the fourth floor hall of the New Democratic Party (NDP) headquarters in Seoul, demanding the normalization of company operations [source: nv-database]. They received financial support from the Urban Industrial Mission and petitioned the Blue House, government offices, and the US embassy [source: nv-database]. NDP leader Youngsam Kim supported them, promising to bring the labour minister and calling for emergency government meetings, but the government refused and demanded dispersal [source: nv-database]. The occupation gained wide press coverage and visits from civil organizations [source: nv-database]. On 10 August, the union issued a statement restating demands despite rumors of police buildup [source: nv-database]. In the early hours of 11 August, about 2,000 riot police entered the building, forcibly evicting all workers in 23 minutes, beating protesters, NDP members, and journalists, and arresting union leaders and the Urban Industrial Mission pastor [source: nv-database]. One protester, Kyeongsuk Kim, was found dead, and none of the demands were met [source: nv-database]. Youngsam Kim’s vocal objection led to his removal from parliament, which together with the police crackdown provoked public opposition and sparked the Pusan-Masan movement that culminated in the downfall of the military dictatorship on 26 October 1979 [source: nv-database].
Key people & organizations
- YH labour union
- Urban Industrial Mission
- New Democratic Party (NDP)
- Youngsam Kim
Tactics used
The occupation of a prominent opposition party headquarters amplified the workers’ message through media coverage and public sympathy, while petitions to government and international bodies sought external pressure. The combination of symbolic actions (bandannas, banners) and sustained nonviolent occupation created a visible moral challenge to the regime. [source: nv-database]
Outcome
Verdict: partial.
The immediate demands were completely unmet, with police violence ending the protest and one death. However, the incident catalyzed broader anti-government protests that led to the end of Park Chung-hee’s dictatorship two months later, making the outcome partial in terms of long-term systemic change. [source: nv-database]
Lessons
- A nonviolent occupation of a symbolic space can generate widespread publicity and shift public opinion even if the immediate demands fail.
- Repression of a protest can backfire and spark larger movements that achieve broader political change.
- Building alliances with opposition political parties and civil organizations can provide resources and legitimacy to a campaign.
Sources
- Global Nonviolent Action Database —
[[nv-database]]
Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.
Sources & verification
nv-database— grounding: primary — license: link-only- Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via
worker_casestudies_v2.py