The "May 16 Coup" refers to a military coup d'état that took place in South Korea on May 16, 1961. The coup was led by Major General Park Chung-hee, who seized power from President Yun Bo-seon and the ruling Democratic Party. The coup was successful and Park Chung-hee established a military dictatorship that lasted until his assassination in 1979. During his 18-year rule, Park implemented a number of economic and political reforms that helped to modernize South Korea and transform it into a developed nation. However, his regime was also known for its suppression of political dissent and human rights abuses.