June 29 Declaration

Ruling-party presidential candidate Roh Tae-woo promised a direct-election amendment and the pardon and restoration of Kim Dae-jung.

After the national rally of 10 June, protests demanding "Abolish the constitution-protection measure, down with dictatorship" went on across the country for nearly three weeks, and office workers joined the Grand Peace March on 26 June in large numbers. With the government unable to hold out, the ruling party’s presidential candidate gave in to the public’s demands.

On 29 June 1987 Democratic Justice Party chairman Roh Tae-woo announced an eight-point plan including a constitutional amendment for direct presidential elections, the pardon and restoration of Kim Dae-jung’s civil rights, guarantees of press freedom and local self-government.

By agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, the ninth constitutional amendment introduced direct election of the president to a single five-year term. In the December 1987 presidential election, with the opposition split between Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, Roh Tae-woo was elected.