South Korea became a democracy in 1987 after decades of military rule. The Gwangju Uprising in May 1980 was a turning point for the democracy movement as student protests erupted, and the government responded with brutal force. The June Democracy Struggle of 1987 began when a young man died while being interrogated by police, sparking nationwide protests demanding democratic reforms and an end to police brutality. The government declared martial law but ultimately agreed to hold free and fair elections on December 16, 1987. South Korea's democratization has been significant, making it one of Asia's most vibrant democracies and a leader in technological innovation. However, corruption remains a problem, and there are concerns about freedom of speech and press, as well as external threats from North Korea.