299. Editorial Note
At 3 p.m. on April 19 the Embassy reported that martial law had been instituted in the Seoul area. Defense Minister Kim and General Song had called from the beleaguered Presidential palace and requested that General Cummings release the 15th Division of the South Korean Army to cope with the situation. Permission to use the troops was granted. (Telegram 878 from Seoul; Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–1960) See Supplement. Students from all the universities and most high schools and middle schools in Seoul joined in the demonstrations, which surged through the city. The Embassy reported that similarly violent student demonstrations against the Rhee government also had developed in Pusan. (Telegram 881 from Seoul, April 19; Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/4–1960) See Supplement. In late afternoon General Song, who was designated martial law commander, brought in armored vehicles to clear the streets of Seoul, and demonstrators were killed when police fired into the crowds. The Embassy also reported that demonstrations had spread to Taegu and Kwangju. (Telegram 886 from Seoul, April 19; Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–1960) See Supplement. By evening the Embassy reported the sound of automatic weapon fire in Seoul, and large crowds destroyed police boxes and burned police stations. General Song moved troops and tanks toward those sections of the city controlled by students. (Telegram [Page 620] 888 from Seoul, April 19; Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–1960) See Supplement. The martial law command later announced that 115 people were killed and 773 injured on April 19 in Seoul, Pusan, and Kwangju. The heaviest casualties were in Seoul, where 94 civilians, mostly students, and 3 policemen were killed. (Despatch 562 from Seoul, April 22; Department of State, Central Files, 895B.00/4–2260)