South Korean students and pro-democracy protesters burn police riot gear captured during demonstrations in downtown Seoul, South Korea. The demonstrations of the 1980s led to constitutional reforms, direct presidential elections and the freeing of political prisoners.

A South Korean woman is held by a government riot policeman as news photographers look on during anti-government protests in Seoul, South, Korea. The demonstrations of the 1980s led to constitutional reforms, direct presidential elections and the freeing of political prisoners.

South Korean pro-democracy demonstrators clash with riot police during demonstrations in Seoul, South Korea. The protesters were demanding constitutional electoral reform, the release of political prisoners and the right of dissidents to participate in the political process.

Protesters demonstrate in Seoul, South Korea during South Korea\'s first free presidential election campaign season in 1987.

A South Korean plainclothes policeman, right, tries to arrest a pro-democracy protestor during anti-government demonstrations in Seoul, South Korea. The protesters called for reforms to the democratic process.

Supporters of Democratic Justice Party candidate Roh Tae-woo campaign during South Korea\'s first free election in 1987.

A protestor holds the flag of the Republic of South Korea during pro-democracy protests in the Myeong-dong district of Seoul, South Korea. The protests in the 1980s led to direct democratic elections, the release of political prisoners and the right of dissidents to participation the political process.

Reunification Democratic Party candidate Kim Young-sam campaigns during South Korea\'s first free presidential election in 1987.

South Korean riot police stand guard around a poster of leading dissident Kim Dae Jung during anti-government protests in Seoul, South Korea. The protests resulted in constitutional reforms the release of political prisoners and the lifting of house arrest for dissident Kim.

Party for Peace and Democracy candidate Kim Dae-jung campaigns during South Korea\'s first free presidential election in 1987.

South Korean student protestors capture a group of government riot police during protests in downtown Seoul, South Korea. After months of violent protests, the student demands for constitutional reform, direct presidential elections, the release of political prisoners and the rights of dissidents to participate in the democratic process were granted by the ruling government on July 1, 1987.

South Korean\'s protest for constitutional reform and the right to vote in direct presidential elections in Seoul, South Korea. The demonstrations of the 1980s led to constitutional reforms, direct presidential elections and the freeing of political prisoners. The sign reads, Don\'t throw tear gas.

Supporters of Reunification Democratic Party candidate Kim Young-sam attend a campaign rally during South Korea\'s first free presidential elections in 1987.

Student protestors hold a picture of Yonsei University student, Lee Han Yol, 21, during anti-government protests outside his University in Seoul, South Korea. Lee died of head injuries inflicted June 9, 1987 after being hit by shrapnel from a tear-gas canister.

Party for Peace and Democracy candidate Kim Dae-jung campaigns during South Korea\'s first free presidential election in 1987.

Yonsei University students flee a barrage of tear-gas attacks from government riot police, during pro-democracy protests in Seoul, South Korea. The students were demanding constitutional electoral reform and the release of political prisoners.

Democratic Justice Party candidate Roh Tae-woo campaigns during South Korea\'s first free election in 1987.

A South Korean protestor prepares to throw a Molotov cocktail at riot police during demonstrations for constitutional reform in the Myeong-dong district of Seoul, South Korea. The protests led to democratic elections, the release of political prisoners and the lifting of a ban on dissidents participating in the political process. (Photograph by Kim Newton)

A young South Korean riot policeman stands guard during pro-democracy demonstrations in downtown Seoul, South Korea. Many of the South Korean riot police were the same age as the student leading the protests. The protests led to democratic elections, the release of political prisoners and the lifting of a ban on dissidents participating in the political process.

A South Korean student prepares to through a Molotov cocktail at South Korean police during prodemocracy demonstrations outside Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. The protests in 1980s led to democratic elections, the release of political prisoners and the lifting of a ban on dissidents participating in the political process.

A traditionally dressed South Korean man votes in South Korea\'s first free presidential election in Seoul, South Korea on election day, December 16, 1987

A protestor holds a cloth over his nose and moth to protect against the smell of teargas as he walks through a line of riot police during pro-democracy demonstrations in the Myeong-dong district of Seoul, South Korea. The protests in the 1980s led to direct democratic elections, the release of political prisoners and the right of dissidents to participation the political process.

Woo Sang Ho, left, and Woo Hyun lead a procession for slain Yonsei University student Lee Han-yeol, picture, on July 8, 1987 outside Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. Lee Han-yeol\'s funeral was held on July 9, 1987.