Terrorism and crisis management: The Rangoon bombing incident of 1983

The Rangoon bombing incident represents one of the major crisis events for examination if one is to understand the process of crisis management of Chun Doo Hwan's government within the context of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. Moreover, the Rangoon bombing was the first grave terrorist act on the international scene, and North Korea's involvement was not immediately revealed. This case clearly illustrated how South Korea's resolve in restraining punitive military action against North Korea could resolve a crisis without escalating it, and facilitate a favourable outcome. Indeed, in order to protect or to minimize the damage to its interests and without triggering an unwanted escalation of crisis, South Korea made vigorous efforts to pressure North Korea into softening its belligerent stance through the use of diplomatic sanctions.