Political History of South Korea
Read about the major political events that took place post-South Korea Independence
Korea Peninsula Division and the Establishment of South Korea (1945-1948)
1945
Following Japan's defeat in World War-II, Korea was liberated. The peninsula was divided along 38th parallel, with Soviet forces in the North and American forces in the South, creating two separate occupation zones
1948
The Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially established with Syngman Rhee as its first President. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was established in the same year under Kim-Il-sung.
The Korean War (1950-53)
1950
The Korean War began when North Korean forces, supported by China and the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea. The conflict involved heavy fighting, including USA led UN forces assisting South Korea.
1953
The war ended in a truce, but no formal peace treaty was signed, leaving the Korean peninsula technically at war to this day. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established as a buffer zone between the two Koreas.
Syngman Rhee's Authoritarian Rule and the April Revolution (1948-1960)
His Rule
Rhee's presidency became increasingly authoritarian. He manipulated elections, suppressed political opposition, and extended his presidency through constitutional changes.
1960
Widespread protests against electoral fraud led to the April Revolution, which forced Rhee to resign and flee to Hawaii.
The Second Republic and the May 16 Coup (1960-1961)
1960-61
The Second Republic, led by a democratic government, was short-lived due to internal instability and economic challenges.
1961
General Park Chung-hee led a military coup, overthrowing the Second Republic and establishing a military junta.
Park Chung-hee's Authoritarian Rule and Economic Development (1961-1979)
Park Chung-hee
Park became president in 1963 and ruled until his assassination in 1979. His administration was characterised by rapid economic growth through implementation of export-driven industrial policies, including a focus on heavy industries like steel, shipbuilding, and semiconductors.
1972
Park declared martial law and established the Yushin Constitution, which granted him near-dictatorial powers.
Park Chung-hee's Assassination and Political Unrest (1979)
1979
Park was assassinated by his intelligence chief, leading to political instability and widespread protests.
Military Coup
Chun Doo-hwan led a military coup, taking control of the government in December 1979.
Gwangju Uprising and Chun Doo-hwan's Authoritarian rule (1980s)
1980
In May, the Gwangju Uprising took place as pro-democracy activists protested against Chun Doo-hwan's regime. The uprising was brutally suppressed, with hundreds of civilians killed.
1981-1987
Chun's authoritarian government continued, with tight control over political dissent and civil liberties, while economic growth persisted.
June Democratic Uprising and Transition to Democracy (1987)
1987
Massive pro-democracy protests, known as the June Democratic Uprising, forced Chun's regime to implement democratic reforms.
1987
A new constitution was adopted, allowing for direct presidential elections, marking the beginning of South Korea's transition to democracy.
Roh Tae-woo's Presidency and Democratization
(1988–1993)
1988
Roh Tae-woo, a former general, became the first president to be elected under the new democratic system.
Seoul Olympic
South Korea hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics, symbolizing the country's rising global status.
The period saw the consolidation of democratic institutions and economic liberalization.
Kim Young-sam's Civilian Government and Economic Reforms (1993–1998)
1993
Kim Young-sam became South Korea's first civilian president in over 30 years. His administration pursued reforms aimed at democratization, anti-corruption, and economic modernization.
1997-98
The Asian Financial Crisis severely impacted South Korea, leading to large-scale economic reforms and a bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Kim Dae-jung’s Presidency and the Sunshine Policy
(1998–2003)
1998
Kim Dae-jung, a longtime opposition leader and democracy activist, became president. His administration focused on recovering from the financial crisis and initiating the Sunshine Policy, aimed at improving relations with North Korea through engagement and economic cooperation.
Nobel Prize-Kim
Kim was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his efforts toward reconciliation with North Korea.
Roh Moo-hyun's Progressive Policies and Political Reform (2003–2008)
2003-2008
President Roh Moo-hyun implemented reforms aimed at curbing the influence of large corporations (chaebols) in politics and promoted transparency and progressive policies.
Political Struggles
His presidency was marked by political struggles, including an attempted impeachment, which was overturned by the Constitutional Court.
Lee Myung-bak’s Conservative Policies and Economic Growth (2008–2013)
2008-2013
Lee Myung-bak, a former business executive, emphasized economic growth and a more conservative approach to North Korea, departing from the Sunshine Policy.
Global Financial Crisis 2008
His tenure also saw major infrastructure projects like the Four Major Rivers Project and economic recovery after the 2008 global financial crisis.
Park Geun-hye’s Impeachment and the Candlelight Protests (2013–2017)
2013-2017
Park Geun-hye, the daughter of Park Chung-hee, became South Korea’s first female president.
2016-2017
Massive Candlelight Protests took place after a corruption scandal involving Park and her close confidante Choi Soon-sil. Park was impeached and removed from office in 2017, and she was later sentenced to prison.
Moon Jae-in's Presidency and North Korea Diplomacy (2017–2022)
2017
Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, was elected president following Park’s impeachment. His administration focused on reforms, anti-corruption measures, and improving relations with North Korea.
2018
Moon played a key role in facilitating historic summits between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Yoon Suk-yeol’s Presidency (2022–Present
Yoon Suk-yeol, a former prosecutor-general, won the presidential election, emphasizing a tougher stance on North Korea, economic reform, and national security.