The first Korean student movement begun in 1919, when students took part in the Sam-il Movement of 1 March to call for the end of Japanese colonization. The student movement has since then played a major part in several big political changes in Korea. Before liberation of Korea from Japanese rule in 1945, the main focus of the student movement was opposing this rule and demanding Korea's independence. After 1945, the student movements were mainly concerned with righting alleged wrongs in the Korean government. Students rose for instance against the South Korea's government of Syngman Rhee after the allegedly rigged elections in March 1960. 1980 marked a turning point in the South Korean student movement. After the Gwangju massacre in May 1980, the student movement got a clear vision, based on Marxism. Student activism is still common on the 21st century South Korean political scene. History Under Japanese rule 1919, participation in the Sam-Il Movement (3.1 or March first movement) The first incentive for the student movement was the oppressive rule of the Japanese over Korea and U.S. president Woodrow Wilson's call for the 'Self determination of Nations' following World War I. The March first Movement (3.1 Movement) was a nationwide anti-Japan independence movement against Japanese colonial rule. Although the students did not lead in the major uprisings of 1 March 1919, their activities influenced the leaders of the Sam-Il movement. The protest spread from Namdaemun square in Seoul, Pyeongyang and Gwangju to rural areas through people going to the Gojong funeral (高宗, Joseon 26th king). The 3.1 Movement is the first and largest national movement that started in a colony of a country that was victorious after the first World War. 10 June 1926 movement Students demonstrated and distributed a manifesto for independence in the Sunjong funeral line. Over 200 students were arrested. Gwangju student movement November 1929 – March 1930 The Gwangju student movement was a nationwide anti-Japan demonstration. It was founded against the discrimination towards colonial education and ethnic discrimination against Korean students in the Japanese colonial period. This movement was triggered when Japanese students harassed a female Korean student. A large scale street demonstration started in Gwangju and spread nationwide. The Gwangju movement was a large scale ethnic movement against Japanese imperialism after the 3.1 movement. After 15 August 1945 liberation 19 April uprising 1960 On 11 April 1960 nearly a month after the demonstrations against