YUSHIN

The Cabinet of
Park Chung Hee

Topic: The Yushin Constitution Crisis, 1972

BACKGROUND GUIDE TO BE RELEASED
RULES OF PROCEDURE GUIDE TO BE RELEASED

Committee Profile

In October 1972, South Korean President Park Chung Hee shocked the nation by declaring martial law, dissolving the National Assembly, suspending portions of the constitution, and unveiling the new Yushin Constitution—a sweeping political restructuring that granted him near complete executive authority. Supporters argued that strong leadership was necessary to protect South Korea from communist threats, maintain political stability, and continue the country's rapid economic development. However, critics viewed the Yushin system as the death of modern Korean democracy. As members of Park's Blue House Cabinet and the influential figures surrounding the regime, delegates will find themselves at the center of one of the most consequential political crises in modern Korean history. Faced with growing student demonstrations, labor unrest, media censorship, KCIA surveillance operations, and persistent fears of North Korean aggression, delegates must balance competing priorities of national security, economic modernization, political legitimacy, and personal ambition. Will the Yushin regime successfully consolidate authoritarian control and ring in an era of stability and growth, or will mounting opposition, internal rivalries, and democratic resistance fracture the fragile government from within?

Committee Chair

  • University of California, Davis

    Avril Amendola is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Davis, majoring in International Relations and Environmental Policy. She has been a part of PacMUN since her freshman year of high school as both a delegate and a staffer. Avril has been a committee director for SCVMUN and PacMUN for multiple years, and she’s excited to return as a Chair for this year’s specialized historical crisis committee. Outside of MUN, Avril likes to travel, go to concerts, hang out at the beach, and stay updated on current events. Most importantly, she’s excited to share her experiences with all of you (delegates)!

Crisis Director

  • University of California, Los Angeles

    Kaylan So (she/they) is a University of California, Los Angeles alum with a degree in Political Science and Cognitive Science. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kaylan first got involved in Model United Nations in high school and has since remained deeply engaged in the activity throughout college. She has participated as a delegate, Chair, and crisis staffer for several years. This year marks Kaylan’s second time staffing PacMUN (first being PacMUN XIV’s Samsung Board of Directors) and her ninth year participating in MUN overall.