Why did student demonstrations take place in South Korea in April 1960?

The student-led demonstrations in South Korea in April 1960, often referred to as the April Revolution, were primarily triggered by widespread outrage over election fraud.12

Following the March 1960 presidential election, the government of Syngman Rhee claimed that Rhee had secured more than 90 percent of the popular vote. This result was widely viewed as fraudulent, fueling intense public anger that had been building due to Rhee’s long-standing authoritarian rule, corruption, and suppression of political opposition.132

The protests escalated into massive, nationwide demonstrations, culminating in a major event on April 19, 1960, which resulted in heavy casualties among the students. These demonstrations led to widespread demands for Rhee’s resignation, which were ultimately supported by the National Assembly and the U.S. government. Facing this mounting pressure, Rhee resigned on April 27, 1960, and subsequently went into exile in Hawaii.132