1976 Gyaleo Coup d'Etat Attempt

The 1976 Gyaleo Coup attempt, known popularly as 1976 Imperial Coup, was an nationwide attempt by Emperor Hasyachiga and some military generals to launch a coup d'etat against Moon Kan-Jin's xenophobic, apparently extremely corrupt government.

What happened
The coup initiated at 4:36 across Gyaleo, when troops loyal to the Emperor took over local government sites in divisions and local media. At 5:11, these troops, now in Jaegiti, seized both city and national media, national ministries, the Jaegog-ho Isaluneo, wealthy suburbs where government officials lived, and the Palgan Palace, the Prime Minister's residence. The intent was to arrest Moon Kan-Jin, his cabinet, and legislators, forcing them all to resign in forcibly-broadcast state media.

Unfortunately for the plotters, Moon Kan-Jin had gone to a police station in the east of the capital, in a surprise visit for PR. When word of this reached him, he called his Minister of Imperial Defense, Sim Sae-jin, and called upon him to mobilize troops to deal with the coup. At first, Moon didn't know that the Emperor was involved, so he didn't care about seizing the Imperial Residence.

Television broadcasters across the nation were forced at gunpoint to announce that, because Moon's "corrupt, fraudalent and highly xenophobic" government kept existing, an "Imperial Council for Democracy and Stability" had taken power, that the Constitution was "temporarily suspended", and that a curfew was imposed. Again, no one knew yet that this coup had the Emperor's blessing.

This came as a shock to a centuries-old democracy, and, quickly, pro and anti-Moon demonstrators were at the streets. Moon activated police, which at the time were part of the armed forces, and began dispersing anti-Moon crowds. Pro-Coup soldiers, however, defended these crowds, shooting at police. This initiated a bloody battle between SWAT and military forces.

By this time, the Emperor covertly activated his Imperial Guard, a 1,000-strong force more highly trained than even the Imperial Special Forces, and, without Imperial insignia, brutally attacked police and recently activated pro-Moon troops, the latter which had just arrived at several cities, including Jaegiti.

Pro-Moon demonstrations were also attacked. The most famous attack was the Sapchon Attack, in where Imperial Guard units threw grenades at protesters, killing and injuring many.

Pro-coup forces blockaded the capital, trying to prevent the Prime Minister from escaping. He, undeterred by the blockade or the potential threat to his own life, joined crowds loyal to him, making him a target. Luckily, several attempts to either arrest or kill him failed, as pro-Moon troops guarded him.

Street battles in the country went on for days. Clashes between pro and anti-coup forces caused many casualties across Gyaleo. Then, realizing his mistake in April 25, 1976, the Emperor ordered the withdrawl of his Imperial Guard, giving a speech on national television of his error, and that all remaining coup plotters should cease their operations.

This was followed by some commanders, but others kept on with the attempt, ordering their troops to fight on. Weakened by days of fighting, decreasing morale, and withdrawl of several factions, the remaining active pro-coup forces surrendered.

Aftermath
Despite the coup attempt stopping, protests continued on both sides. Eventually by pressure, both Emperor Hasyachiga and Moon Kan-Jin abdicated and resigned, respectively. The Emperor was succeeded by the current one, whilst the Jaegog-ho Isaluneo called for snap elections. Protests gradually ceased after that.

The Republican Party exploded in membership, and gained their first seats in the legislature. Many attribute this to anti-Imperial sentiment over the coup. Thanks to this, the Republicans are an electable party in Gyalean politics, even going in a coalition in 1982 with the Constitution Party.