During a state visit to Rangoon, Myanmar, South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan became the target of a well-coordinated assassination attempt led by North Korean operatives. On the morning of October 9, Chun was attending a ceremony commemorating the 33rd anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule when a powerful bomb exploded. The explosive was hidden near the site of the ceremony and detonated at the precise moment Chun's motorcade was expected to pass through.

The attack was planned meticulously and showcased the ongoing conflict and hostilities between North and South Korea, exacerbated by the Cold War tensions in the region. Among the chaos, 21 people were killed, including several South Korean officials and civilians, with an additional 17 individuals suffering injuries in the blast. Chun, though shaken, emerged unharmed, which led to an immediate crackdown on suspected North Korean agents and heightened South Korean security measures.

Following the bombing, Chun Doo-hwan's administration used the assassination attempt to further justify its martial law regime and to consolidate power against perceived internal and external threats. This incident not only intensified anti-North Korean sentiments but also contributed to the long-standing division and enmity present on the Korean peninsula, influencing Korea’s policies for years to come.