The Park Chung Hee administration tries to normalize the student demonstration situation, which has led to the closing of many institutions, and to accept the admittance of communist China to the UN.

National Assembly elections will be held in South Korea on 25 May 1971. While the DRP's National Assembly campaign remains similar to its presidential campaign, the NDP pledges to lift curfew bans, corruption, and give priority to housing shortages for low income people.

Student demonstrations are occurring in South Korea in reaction to the state's intervention and control of student activity. In light of the 1961 student protests, the government is not using repressive measures to suppress the demonstrations.

UNCURK members meet with Kim Dae Jung, who states his key issues for the election: ROK democracy, corruption within intelligence collection, suppression of opposition parties by the ruling party, and unification. UNCURK member observe that Kim's party is weak because of party factionalism. Additionally, President Park Chung Hee announces his run for third term and emphasizes economic and political stability.

The ROK-US airlift military exercise "Freedom Vault" raises tensions with North Korean. The timing of the exercise may also bolster the current administration's prospect for reelection. Additionally, ROK troops are replacing US troops in the DMZ.

With the withdrawal of US forces, ROK forces will assume full responsibility for the DMZ, with exception of Panmunjom. Additionally, the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections will have a strong effect on the political stability of ROK.

In connection with the presidential and National Assembly elections, violent clashes between police forces and the opposition NDP have taken place. Accusations from both NDP and DRP are being slung, and the current ruling party DRP is using the fear of potential North Korean subversion to repress the opposition party.

President Park Chung Hee reiterates that his main priority is the South Korean economy. He believes that a strong economy will allow for unification and stronger national security. Additionally, Park believes that the power balance in East Asia will depend on China's progress.

In a drastic change from previous policy, President Park Chung Hee called for the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. One of the prerequisites would be North Korea's uneqivocal acceptance of the competence and authority of the UN. Some believe that the strength of the ROK economy and SALT program may have prompted Park's change in attitude.

In connection with the 20th anniversary of the Korean War, the governments of North Korea and South Korea have made statements on the requirements for unification. Additionally, North Korean agents infiltrated the ROK National Cemetery and attempted a bombing.