Pukyong National University

PKNU awarded an honorary diploma to the leader of the 'Motgol Street Protest on September 17' that sparked the Buma Democratic Protest

Kim Maeng-Gyu received an honorary diploma ... At the convocation on the 27th

△ Kim Maeng-Gyu (right) is taking a commemorative photo with the dean of the graduate school after receiving an honorary diploma. ⓒPhoto Lee Sung-Jae (PR Team)

Pukyong National University (President Jang Young-Soo) awarded an honorary diploma to Kim Maeng-Gyu (age 63), the so-called, leader of '9.17 Motgol Street Protest’, which started the Buma pro-democracy resistant movement in Busan.

Pukyong National University prepared a separate special event for the August 2021 convocation held on August 27 and granted Mr. Kim an honorary diploma.

Mr. Kim was a sophomore in the Civil Engineering Department at Busan National University of Technology, one of the early Pukyong National University. On September 17, 1979, he was arrested on the name of violating Emergency Action No. 9 by leading the '9·17 Motgol Protest', a struggle against Yushin regime (of President Park Chung-hee) and against autocracy on campus, and was expelled from the school.

Earlier this year, the ‘Commission for Truth and Rehabilitation on those Relevant to the Buma Democratic Protest’ designated Mr. Kim as a person involved in the Buma Democratic Protest and recently notified of the decision on rehabilitation. Accordingly, Pukyong National University decided to award an honorary diploma to Mr. Kim.

The ‘9·17 Motgol Protest’ is regarded as the event that triggered the Buma Democratic Protest that took place on October 16 of the same year. Mr. Kim and his friends gathered about 500 students on campus and led a demonstration calling for the abolition of the Yushin regime and the resignation of President Park Chung-hee, and were expelled and suspended from school. At that time, this news quickly spread throughout the college town in Busan, greatly affecting the spread of the democratization movement.

President Jang Young-Soo said, "Unavoidably, Mr. Kim did not finish all of his studies, but he was a proud graduate who served as a role model for his juniors by contributing to the development of the country and society by protecting freedom, justice and democracy through activities related to the Buma Democratic Protest."

Kim Maeng-Gyu said, "I have always been proud of Pukyong National University's leadership of Busan's pro-democracy movement, and I am very moved to receive such an honorable diploma from my alma mater after 42 years."

"Seeing my alma mater so greatly improved, I am filled with emotions. As a graduate of Pukyong National University, I will continue to do my best to become an example to my school friends," said Mr. Kim. <Pukyong Today>

△ Kim Maeng-Gyu is taking a commemorative photo with his diploma