The Regime of Park Chung Hee

Park Chung Hee's presidency from 1963 to 1979 played a pivotal role in South Korea's modernization and economic growth after colonial rule and the destruction of the Korean War. However, his authoritarian rule saw many human rights abuses and political oppression.

The postwar period in Korea was distinguished by economic disorganization and stagnation caused by the separation of the Korean economy from the Japanese economy and the partition of Korea. Korea became dependent foreign aid. In addition, an uncontrolled hyperinflation before and after liberation.

The Korean War had devastating effects on Korea. By the end of the war the number of Koreans dead, injured, or missing approached three million and war damages were millions of dollars. Immediately following the war, South Korea's per capita income was only US$67.

Park Chung Hee was born on November 14, 1917 in South Korea. He joined the Korean army after World War II. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a respected figure of the military.

The Second Republic, South Korea's government in 1960 and 1961, made grueling efforts to initiate reforms, but it couldn't cope with the instability brought about by violent political change. Unsatisfied, Park Chung Hee led a military coup d'état that overthrew the Second Republic on May 16, 1961. Park became the head of the military junta that came to power, known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction (SCNR).

The SCNR took over the government, dissolved the National Assembly (South Korea's legislature), banned political activity, and strictly controlled the press. The country was placed under martial law and a series of reforms were instituted.

The Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) was established by the S...

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...grew. A coup led by Chun Doo Hwan overthrew the Fourth Republic and eventually dissolved the Yushin Constitution.

Park's eldest daughter, Park Geun Hye, is the current president of South Korea and the first female president of Korea. She has often been criticized for being "the daughter of a dictator," but she is considered to be one of the most influential politicians in Korea.

Today, South Korea is a wealthy and developed country whose economy ranks 12th in the world and has entered the trillion dollar club of world economies. From the GDP per capita of $67 after the Korean War, it has risen to more than $30,000.

Although Park's rule had degenerated into a paranoid dictatorship in the 1970's, it had a huge impact on South Korea's economy and people. Park's remembrance is very polarized. Whether he was a brutal dictator or a revolutionary leader is still debated.