Syngman rhee biography of abraham lincoln

President of South Korea outsider 1948 to 1960

This article survey about the first president be in opposition to South Korea. For the Protestant minister, see Syngman Rhee (clergyman).

In this Korean name, the race name is Rhee.

Syngman Rhee (Korean: 이승만; Hanja: 李承晚, pronounced[];^[b] 26 March 1875 – 19 July 1965) was a South Korean politician who served as the first chief honcho of South Korea from 1948 to 1960.

Rhee is too known by his art nameUnam (우남; 雩南).^[1] Rhee was too the first and last pilot of the Provisional Government identical the Republic of Korea propagate 1919 to his impeachment plentiful 1925 and from 1947 swing by 1948. As president of Southernmost Korea, Rhee's government was defined by authoritarianism, limited economic condition, and in the late Decade growing political instability and initiate opposition.

Born in Hwanghae Region, Joseon, Rhee attended an Dweller Methodist school, where he convince to Christianity. He became uncut Korean independence activist and was imprisoned for his activities layer 1899. After his release enclose 1904, he moved to magnanimity United States, where he derivative degrees from American universities courier met President Theodore Roosevelt.

Abaft a brief 1910–12 return achieve Korea, he moved to Island in 1913. In 1919, shadowing the Japanese suppression of probity March First Movement, Rhee spliced the right-leaning Korean Provisional State in exile in Shanghai. Reject 1918 to 1924, he served as the first President objection the Korean Provisional Government on hold he was impeached in 1925.

He then returned to rendering United States, where he advocated and fundraised for Korean liberty. In 1939, he moved mention Washington, DC. In 1945, dirt was returned to US-controlled Choson by the US military, weather on July 20, 1948 misstep was elected the first official of the Republic of Peninsula by the National Assembly, ushering in the First Republic build up Korea.

As president, Rhee continuing his hardline anti-communist and pro-American views that characterized much constantly his earlier political career. Beforehand on in his presidency, diadem government put down the Jeju uprising on Jeju Island, nearby the Mungyeong and Bodo Coalition massacres were committed against incriminated communist sympathisers, leaving at lowest 100,000 people dead.^[2] Rhee was president during the outbreak elaborate the Korean War (1950–1953), contain which North Korea invaded Southmost Korea.

He refused to innovation the armistice agreement that on the brink the war, wishing to have to one`s name the peninsula reunited by force.^[3][4]

After the fighting ended, South Korea's economy lagged behind North Korea's and was heavily reliant range US aid. After being re-elected in 1956, he pushed concern modify the constitution to disclaim the two-term limit, despite candidate protests.

He was reelected recognized in March 1960, after top opponent Chough Pyung-ok died exaggerate cancer before the election took place. After Rhee's ally Leeward Ki-poong won the corresponding vice-presidential election by a wide space, the opposition rejected the outcome as rigged, which triggered protests. These escalated into the student-led April Revolution, in which the law shot demonstrators in Masan.

Depiction resulting scandal caused Rhee feel resign on 26 April, ushering in the Second Republic promote to Korea. Despite this, protesters enlarged to converge on the statesmanlike palace, leading to the CIA covertly evacuating him on 28 April by helicopter. He all in the rest of his ethos in exile in Honolulu, Island, and died of a movement in 1965.

Early life bracket career

Early life

Syngman Rhee was exclusive on 26 March 1875 chimp Rhee Syng man in Daegyeong, a village in Pyeongsan Dependency, Hwanghae Province, Joseon.^[5][6][7][8] Rhee was the third but only abide son out of three brothers and two sisters (his join older brothers both died stem infancy) in a rural of modest means.^[5] Rhee's coat traced its lineage back clutch King Taejong of Joseon.

Unquestionable was a 16th-generation descendant snare Grand Prince Yangnyeong through reward second son, Yi Heun who was known as Jangpyeong Dojeong (장평도정;長平都正).^[9] This case makes him a distant relative of influence mid-Joseon military officer, Yi Sun-sin (not be confused with Admiral Yi Sun-sin). His mother was a member of Gimhae Skate clan.

In 1877, at loftiness age of two, Rhee added his family moved to Seoul, where he had traditional Believer education in various seodang retort Nakdong (낙동; 駱洞) and Dodong (도동; 桃洞).^[10] When Rhee was six years old a variola infection rendered him virtually purblind until he was treated grasp western medicine, possibly by clean up Japanese doctor.^[11] Rhee was show as a potential candidate make the gwageo, the traditional Asiatic civil service examination, but coach in 1894 reforms abolished the gwageo system, and in April grace enrolled in the Paechae School [ko] (배재학당; 培材學堂), an American Wesleyan school, where he converted inherit Christianity.^{[5][7][8][12]} Rhee studied English coupled with sinhakmun (신학문; 新學問; lit. new subjects).

Near the end of 1895, he joined a Hyeopseong (Mutual Friendship) Club (협성회; 協成會) actualized by Seo Jae-pil, who exchanged from the United States funds his exile following the Gapsin Coup. He worked as decency head and the main essayist of the newspapers Hyŏpsŏnghoe Hoebo [ko] and Maeil Sinmun [ko],^[10] the modern being the first daily blink in Korea.^[12] During this edit, Rhee earned money by ism the Korean language to Americans.

In 1895, Rhee graduated escape Pai Chai School.^[5]

Independence activities

Rhee became involved in anti-Japanese circles fend for the end of the Leading Sino-Japanese War in 1895, which saw Joseon passed from distinction Chinesesphere of influence to honesty Japanese. Rhee was implicated reliably a plot to take lex talionis for the assassination of Ruler Myeongseong, the wife of Desertion Gojong who was assassinated moisten Japanese agents (known in Asian history as the Chunsaengmun incident [ko]); however, a female American medical practitioner Georgiana E.

Whiting helped him avoid the charges by disguising him as her patient stomach go to his sister's terrace. Rhee acted as one racket the forerunners of the Peninsula independence movement through grassroots organizations such as the Hyeopseong Bat and the Independence Club. Rhee organized several protests against decay and the influences of glory Japan and the Russian Empire.^[12] As a result, in Nov 1898, Rhee attained the team up of Uigwan (의관; 議官) check the Imperial Legislature, the Jungchuwon (중추원; 中樞院).^[10]

After entering civil let, Rhee was implicated in natty plot to remove King Gojong from power through the admission of Park Yeong-hyo.

As practised result, Rhee was imprisoned funny story the Gyeongmucheong Prison (경무청; 警務廳) in January 1899.^[10] Other cornucopia place the year arrested considerably 1897 and 1898.^{[5][7][8][12]} Rhee attempted to escape on the Ordinal day of imprisonment but was caught and was sentenced pick up life imprisonment through the Pyeongniwon (평리원; 平理院).

He was captive in the Hanseong Prison (한성감옥서; 漢城監獄署). In prison, Rhee translated and compiled The Sino–Japanese Battle Record (청일전기; 淸日戰紀), wrote The Spirit of Independence (독립정신; 獨立精神), compiled the New English–Korean Dictionary (신영한사전; 新英韓辭典) and wrote place in the Imperial Newspaper (제국신문; 帝國新聞).^[10] He was also tortured.^[12] Examples of this included Japanese workers lighting oil paper which were pushed up his fingernails, abstruse then smashing them one-by-one.^[13]

Political activities at home and abroad

In 1904, Rhee was released from gaol at the outbreak of nobility Russo-Japanese War with the educational of Min Young-hwan.^[5] In Nov 1904, with the help reveal Min Yeong-hwan and Han Gyu-seol (한규설; 韓圭卨), Rhee moved perfect the United States.

In Reverenced 1905, Rhee and Yun Byeong-gu (윤병구; 尹炳求)^[10] met with Lump President Theodore Roosevelt at calm talks in Portsmouth, New County and attempted unsuccessfully to astound the US to help guard independence for Korea.^[14]

Rhee continued give somebody the job of stay in the United States; this move has been averred as an "exile".^[12] He derived a Bachelor of Arts escape George Washington University in 1907, and a Master of Study from Harvard University in 1908.^[5][9] In 1910,^[5] he obtained keen PhD from Princeton University^[7][8] better the thesis "Neutrality as acted upon by the United States" (미국의 영향하에 발달된 국제법상 중립).^[10]

In Noble 1910, Rhee returned to Japanese-occupied Korea.^[10][c] He served as exceptional YMCA coordinator and missionary.^[15][16] Make a claim 1912, Rhee was implicated invoice the 105-Man Incident,^[10] and was shortly arrested.^[5] However, he depressed to the United States bind 1912^[7] with M.

C. Harris's rationale that Rhee was prosperous to participate in the popular meeting of Methodists in City as the Korean representative.^[10][d]

In authority United States, Rhee attempted hit convince Woodrow Wilson to worth the people involved in high-mindedness 105-Man Incident, but failed fulfil bring any change.

Soon consequently, he met Park Yong-man, who was in Nebraska at depiction time. In February 1913, orangutan a consequence of the full, he moved to Honolulu, Island, and took over the Han-in Jung-ang Academy (한인중앙학원; 韓人中央學園).^[10] Discharge Hawaii, he began to display the Pacific Ocean Magazine (태평양잡지; 太平洋雜誌).^[5] In 1918, he conventional the Han-in Christian Church (한인기독교회; 韓人基督敎會).

During this period, recognized opposed Park Yong-man's stance bank on foreign relations of Korea innermost brought about a split attach the community.^[10] In December 1918, he was chosen, along trade Dr. Henry Chung DeYoung, importation a Korean representative to prestige Paris Peace Conference in 1919 by the Korean National Sect but they failed to appropriate permission to travel to Town.

After giving up travelling however Paris, Rhee held the Leading Korean Congress in Philadelphia be equal with Seo Jae-pil to make score for future political activism with Korean independence.^[10]

Following the March Cardinal Movement in March 1919, Rhee discovered that he was tailor-made accoutred to the positions of transalpine minister for the Korean Special Assembly [ko] (a group in Vladivostok), prime minister for the Experimental Government of the Republic homework Korea in Shanghai, and tidy position equivalent to president escort the Hanseong Provisional Government [ko].

Cut June, in the acting authority of the President of ethics Republic of Korea, he notified the prime ministers and ethics chairmen of peace conferences drawing Korea's independence. On 25 Grave, Rhee established the Korean Catnap to America and Europe (구미위원부; 歐美委員部) in Washington, DC. Finely tuned 6 September, Rhee discovered think it over he had been appointed playacting president for the Provisional Direction in Shanghai.^[7][8] From December 1920 to May 1921, he laid hold of to Shanghai and was blue blood the gentry acting president for the Interim Government.^[10]

However, Rhee failed to exhaustively act in the capacity emancipation Acting President due to conflicts inside the provisional government instruction Shanghai.

In October 1920, take steps returned to the US type participate in the Washington Seafaring Conference. During the conference, closure attempted to set the upset of Korean independence as measurement of the agenda and campaigned for independence but was unsuccessful.^[5][10] In September 1922, he shared to Hawaii to focus depress publication, education, and religion.

Make a way into November 1924, Rhee was fit the position of president means life in the Korean Confrere Society (대한인동지회; 大韓人同志會).^[10]

In March 1925, Rhee was impeached as ethics president of the Provisional Authority in Shanghai over allegations rule misuse of power^[17] and was removed from office.

Nevertheless, without fear continued to claim the eventuality of president by referring assessment the Hanseong Provisional Government topmost continued independence activities through loftiness Korean Commission to America president Europe. In the beginning indicate 1933, he participated in decency League of Nations conference hassle Geneva to bring up loftiness question of Korean independence.^[10]

In Nov 1939, Rhee and his helpmate left Hawaii for Washington, DC.^[18] He focused on writing decency book Japan Inside Out captain published it during the summertime of 1941.

With the invasion on Pearl Harbor and character consequent Pacific War, which began in December 1941, Rhee sedentary his position as the leader of the foreign relations commitee of the provisional government lure Chongqing to convince President Pressman D. Roosevelt and the Combined States Department of State let down approve the existence of integrity Korean provisional government.

As ready of this plan, he cooperated with anti-Japan strategies conducted overtake the US Office of Deliberate Services (OSS). In 1945, recognized participated in the United Goodwill Conference on International Organization rightfully the leader of the Asian representatives to request the tell of the Korean provisional government.^[10]

Return to Korea and rise regarding power

Main article: First Republic appeal to Korea

After the surrender of Polish on 2 September 1945,^[19] Rhee was flown to Tokyo alongside a US military aircraft.^[20] Disappear the objections of the Turn of State, the US militaristic government allowed Rhee to reappear to Korea by providing him with a passport in Oct 1945, despite the refusal systematic the Department of State in detail issue Rhee with a passport.^[21] The British historian Max Designer wrote that there was "at least a measure of infection in the transaction" as justness OSS agent Preston Goodfellow who provided Rhee with the warrant that allowed him to resurface to Korea was apparently affianced by Rhee that if perform came to power, he would reward Goodfellow with commercial concessions."^[21] Following the independence of Choson and a secret meeting tally up Douglas MacArthur, Rhee was flown in mid-October 1945 to Seoul aboard MacArthur's personal airplane, The Bataan.^[20]

After the return to Choson, he assumed the posts lose president of the Independence Publicity Central Committee (독립촉성중앙위원회; 獨立促成中央協議會), chairperson of the Korean People's Archetypal Democratic Legislature, and president defer to the Headquarters for Unification (민족통일총본부; 民族統一總本部).

At this point, significant was strongly anti-communist and averse foreign intervention; he opposed authority Soviet Union and the Affiliated States' proposal in the 1945 Moscow Conference to establish fine trusteeship for Korea and ethics cooperation between the left-wing (communist) and the right-wing (nationalist) parties.

He also refused to tally the US-Soviet Joint Commission (미소공동위원회; 美蘇共同委員會) as well as rectitude negotiations with the north.^[10]

For decades, the Korean independence movement was torn by factionalism and in-fighting, and most of the cream of the crop of the independence movement hateful each other as much on account of they hated the Japanese.

Rhee, who had lived for decades in the United States, was a figure known only steer clear of afar in Korea, and hence regarded as a more tell what to do less acceptable compromise candidate ferry the conservative factions. More strongly, Rhee spoke fluent English, shabby none of his rivals upfront, and therefore he was rendering Korean politician most trusted extra favored by the American vocation government.

The British diplomat Roger Makins later recalled, "the Earth propensity to go for smart man rather than a desire — Giraud among the Gallic in 1942, Chiang Kai-shek subordinate China. Americans have always approximating the idea of dealing catch on a foreign leader who vesel be identified as 'their man'. They are much less born with a silver spoon in your mouth with movements." Makins further supplementary the same was the pencil case with Rhee, as very occasional Americans were fluent in Asiatic in the 1940s or knew much about Korea, and inundation was simply far easier obey the American occupation government curry favor deal with Rhee than check try to understand Korea.

Rhee was "acerbic, prickly, uncompromising" pointer was regarded by the Vehement State Department, which long abstruse dealings with him as "a dangerous mischief-maker", but the Dweller General John R. Hodge sure that Rhee was the crush man for the Americans like back because of his facile English and his ability warn about talk with authority to Indweller officers about American subjects.

Promptly it became clear from Oct 1945 onward that Rhee was the Korean politician most preferred by the Americans, other careful leaders fell in behind him.^{[citation needed]}

When the first US–Soviet Interaction Committee meeting was concluded keep away from a result, he began hear argue in June 1946 mosey the government of Korea blight be established as an free entity.^[10] In the same thirty days, he created a plan family circle on this idea^[5] and stilted to Washington, DC, from Dec 1946 to April 1947 call on lobby support for the path.

During the visit, Harry Merciless. Truman's policies of Containment become calm the Truman Doctrine, which was announced in March 1947, coercive Rhee's anti-communist ideas.^[10]

In November 1947, the United Nations General Grouping recognized Korea's independence and overfriendly the United Nations Temporary Court case on Korea (UNTCOK) through Dose 112.^[22][23] In May 1948, prestige South Korean Constitutional Assembly selection was held under the mistake of the UNTCOK.^[10] He was elected without competition to foster in the South Korean Radical Assembly (대한민국 제헌국회; 大韓民國制憲國會) shaft was consequently selected to background Speaker of the Assembly.

Rhee was highly influential in creating the policy stating that leadership president of South Korea abstruse to be elected by character National Assembly.^[5] The 1948 Structure of the Republic of Choson was adopted on 17 July 1948.^[24]

On 20 July 1948, Rhee was elected president of ethics Republic of Korea^[7][8][24] in goodness 1948 South Korean presidential choice with 92.3% of the vote; the second candidate, Kim Ku, received 6.7% of the vote.^[25] On 15 August the Nation of Korea was formally historic in the south,^[24] and Rhee was inaugurated as its cap president.^[5][10] The next month, representation 9 September, the north likewise proclaimed statehood as the Popular People's Republic of Korea.

Rhee's relations with the chinilpa Altaic elites who had collaborated do better than the Japanese were, in class words of the South Asiatic historian Kyung Moon Hwang, many times "contentious", but in the throughout an understanding was reached explain which, in exchange for their support, Rhee would not clear the elites.^[26] In particular, integrity Koreans who had served emphasis the colonial-era National Police, whom the Americans had retained back end August 1945, were promised overstep Rhee that their jobs would not be threatened by him.

Upon independence in 1948, 53% of South Korean police work force cane were men who had served in the National Police near the Japanese occupation.^[27]

Cabinet

Main article: Office holy orders of Rhee Syng-man

Political repression

Soon rearguard taking office, Rhee enacted reserve that severely curtailed political withhold assent or appr.

There was much controversy amidst Rhee and his leftist opponents. Allegedly, many of the communistic opponents were arrested and be thankful for some cases killed. The first controversial issue has been Trail away Ku's assassination. On 26 June 1949, Kim Ku was assassinated by Ahn Doo-hee, who familiar that he assassinated Kim Ku by the order of Grow faint Chang-ryong.

Ahn Doo-hee was affirmed by the British historian Augmentation Hastings as one of Rhee's "creatures".^[29] It soon became tower that Rhee's style of pronounce was rigidly authoritarian.^[30] He legalized the internal security force (headed by his right-hand man, Diminish Chang-ryong) to detain and excruciate suspected communists and North Altaic agents.

His government also oversaw several massacres, including the cutting off of the Jeju uprising conference Jeju Island, of which Southerly Korea's Truth Commission reported 14,373 victims, 86% at the guardianship of the security forces cope with 13.9% at the hands reminisce communist rebels,^[31] and the Mungyeong Massacre.

By early 1950, Rhee had about 30,000 alleged communists in his jails, and difficult to understand about 300,000 suspected sympathizers registered in an official "re-education" amplify called the Bodo League. Like that which the North Korean army niminy-piminy in June, retreating South Altaic forces executed the prisoners, all along with several tens of many of Bodo League members.^[2]

Korean War

Main article: Korean War

Both Rhee existing Kim Il Sung wanted persevere unite the Korean peninsula decorate their respective governments, but birth United States refused to be the source of South Korea any heavy weapons, to ensure that its expeditionary could only be used school preserving internal order and self-defense.^[32] By contrast, Pyongyang was victoriously equipped with Soviet aircraft, vehicles and tanks.

According to Crapper Merrill, "the war was preceded by a major insurgency rejoicing the South and serious strife along the thirty-eighth parallel," significant 100,000 people died in "political disturbances, guerrilla warfare, and overlook clashes".^[33]

At the outbreak of conflict on 25 June 1950, Northmost Korean troops launched a comprehensive invasion of South Korea.

Collective South Korean resistance at honesty 38th parallel was overwhelmed do without the North Korean offensive fundamentally a few hours. By 26 June, it was apparent ditch the Korean People's Army (KPA) would occupy Seoul. Rhee expressed, "Every Cabinet member, including themselves, will protect the government."^[34] At one\'s fingertips midnight on 28 June, honourableness South Korean military destroyed grandeur Han Bridge, preventing thousands round citizens from fleeing.

On 28 June, North Korean soldiers taken Seoul.

During the North Altaic occupation of Seoul, Rhee personal a temporary government in Busan and created a defensive periphery along the Naktong Bulge. Smart series of battles ensued, which would later be known hand in hand as the Battle of Naktong Bulge. After the Battle motionless Inchon in September 1950, depiction North Korean military was routed, and the United Nations Ability (UNC) and South Korean reinforcement not only liberated all closing stages South Korea, but overran well-known of North Korea.

In loftiness areas of North Korea disused by the UNC forces, elections were supposed to be administered by the United Nations on the contrary instead were taken over become peaceful administered by the South Koreans. Rhee insisted on Bukjin Tongil – ending war by celebratory North Korea, but after probity Chinese entered the war cage November 1950, the UNC bolster were thrown into retreat.^[3] Amid this period of crisis, Rhee ordered the December massacres time off 1950.

Rhee was absolutely attached to reunifying Korea under queen leadership and strongly supported MacArthur's call for going all-out overwhelm China, even at the jeopardize of provoking a nuclear conflict with the Soviet Union.^[35]

Hastings record that, during the war, Rhee's official salary was equal assume $37.50 per month.

Both unexpected defeat the time and since, here has been much speculation reduce speed precisely how Rhee managed denigration live on this amount. Rectitude entire Rhee regime was dishonourable for its corruption, with humankind in the government from distinction President downwards stealing as ostentatious they possibly could from both the public purse and be bereaved United States aid.

The Rhee regime engaged in the "worst excesses of corruption", with Southeast Korean soldiers going unpaid engage months as their officers illegal their pay, equipment provided unwelcoming the United States being wholesale on the black market, sit the size of the bevy being bloated by hundreds imitation thousands of "ghost soldiers" who only existed on paper, conj albeit their officers to steal alimony that would have been payable had these soldiers actually existed.

The problems with low pride experienced by the army were largely due to the infection of the Rhee regime. Blue blood the gentry worst scandal during the war—indeed of the entire Rhee government—was the National Defense Corps Bash. Rhee created the National Bastion Corps in December 1950, honorary to be a paramilitary fencibles, comprising men not in picture military or police who were drafted into the corps occupy internal security duties.

In character months that followed, tens show consideration for thousands of National Defense Gang men either starved or froze to death in their stony-hearted barracks, as the men required winter uniforms and food. Still Rhee could not ignore greatness deaths of so many nearby ordered an investigation. It was revealed that the commander many the National Defense Corps, Universal Kim Yun Gun, had taken millions of American dollars rove were intended to heat greatness barracks and feed and set up array the men.

Kim and quintuplet other officers were publicly alter at Daegu on 12 Noble 1951, following their convictions vindicate corruption.^[36]

In the spring of 1951, Rhee—who was upset about MacArthur's dismissal as UNC commander outdo President Truman—lashed out in regular press interview against Britain, whom he blamed for MacArthur's sacking.^[37] Rhee declared, "The British horde have outlived their welcome uphold my country." Shortly after, Rhee told an Australian diplomat pine the Australian troops fighting on the side of his country, "They are howl wanted here any longer.

Announce that to your government. Picture Australian, Canadian, New Zealand take precedence British troops all represent organized government which is now sabotaging the brave American effort lay at the door of liberate fully and unify downhearted unhappy nation."^[37]

During the Korean Bloodshed armistice negotiations, one of rendering most contentious issues was probity repatriation of prisoners of clash (POWs).

The United Nations Imperative advocated for the principle homework voluntary repatriation, allowing POWs round off choose whether to return count up their home countries. In relate, the communist side insisted recover mandatory repatriation, demanding that gifted POWs be returned regardless clone their preferences. This disagreement lengthened the negotiations, and an be the same was only reached on June 8, 1953.

However, South Asian President Rhee Syngman strongly demurring the armistice, fearing it would leave South Korea vulnerable merriment future aggression and believing useless failed to ensure the country’s long-term security. On June 18, 1953, Rhee unilaterally ordered glory release of over 27,000 anti-communist POWs held in camps repair South Korea, including those squeeze Busan, Masan, and Daegu.

That action shocked the United States, the United Nations, and character communist side, as it was perceived as a direct contest to the ongoing armistice The release also led put up casualties, with dozens of POWs reportedly killed or injured around the process. Rhee’s decision inconspicuously release the POWs is understood as serving multiple purposes.

Domestically, it was framed as regular gesture to grant freedom progress to anti-communist prisoners who refused put a stop to return to their communist residence countries. Internationally, it was copperplate bold political maneuver to behave South Korea’s agency in character armistice process and to burden the United States into committing to South Korea's defense.

Rhee was deeply dissatisfied with rendering armistice negotiations being conducted poor active participation from the Southeast Korean government. His actions established to ensure South Korea’s refuge through the signing of significance Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. Even if the unilateral release of POWs temporarily disrupted the armistice mother of parliaments, it ultimately strengthened South Korea’s position in post-war negotiations.

Rendering Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty was signed shortly after the suspension of hostiliti, guaranteeing U.S. military support rationalize South Korea and solidifying corruption defense against future aggression.^[38][39]

On July 27, 1953, the Korean Hostilities, often referred to as "one of the 20th century's crest vicious and frustrating wars," elapsed without a clear victor.

Blue blood the gentry Korean Armistice Agreement was organized by military commanders representing Husband, North Korea, and the Banded together Nations Command (UNC), led indifferent to the United States. However, significance Republic of Korea (ROK), err President Syngman Rhee’s leadership, refused to sign the agreement. Rhee strongly opposed the armistice, fearing it would cement the share of Korea and leave distinction South vulnerable to future attacks.

Despite intense pressure from rendering United States and its coalition, Rhee remained steadfast in culminate objections, demanding stronger security guarantees and a commitment to Southbound Korea's defense. Although the cessation succeeded in halting active belligerency, it was not a imperial peace treaty.

To this time, no peace treaty has antique signed, leaving the Korean Socket in a technical state dominate war. The armistice established grandeur Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) introduction a buffer between North remarkable South Korea, yet tensions remained high. Rhee’s opposition to greatness armistice was part of realm broader geopolitical strategy.

He requisite to secure a long-term U.S. military presence in South Peninsula to deter future attacks stomach to strengthen the South’s range in the region. His turn-down to endorse the armistice in the end led to the signing sponsor the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Entente in October 1953, which fixed U.S. military support for Southeast Korea and cemented its function as a key ally follow East Asia during the Ironic War.^{[40][41][42][43][44][45]}

Re-election

Because of widespread discontent trusty Rhee's corruption and political inhibition, it was considered unlikely lose one\'s train of thought Rhee would be re-elected overstep the National Assembly.

To flank this, Rhee attempted to amendment the constitution to allow him to hold elections for ethics presidency by direct popular plebiscite. When the Assembly rejected that amendment, Rhee ordered a promote arrest of opposition politicians celebrated then passed the desired correction in July 1952. During justness following presidential election, he commonplace 74% of the vote.^[46]

Post-war poor challenges

At the time of treason creation in 1948, South Peninsula was among the poorest countries in the world.

Twelve seniority later, in 1960, it set aside this position with a kitsch capita income similar to drift of Haiti. Although South Peninsula was predominantly an agricultural group of people that had experienced some industrialisation during the Japanese colonial code from 1910 to 1945, principally in the northern provinces, unfilled faced significant challenges.^[47]

The division have power over Korea in 1945 by honesty Soviet Union and the Leagued States resulted in the inthing of two states: the Republican People's Republic of Korea clear up the north and the Situation of Korea in the southward.

The DPRK inherited most endorse the industry, mining, and enhanced than 80% of electricity procreation. In contrast, the ROK distinguished the majority of productive pastoral areas, but these were scarcely enough to feed a dear populated and rapidly growing population.^[47]

The period after the war was marked by a very somnolent recovery, despite South Korea teach one of the largest rustle capita recipients of foreign aid.^[47] The lack of central intellection, minimal investment in infrastructure, defective use of aid funds, governance corruption, political instability, and blue blood the gentry threat of renewed war get a feel for the North made the society very unattractive to both lackey and foreign investors.

Additionally, birth fear of recreating a compound dependence on Japan prevented Seoul from opening the country revoke trade and investment with dismay prosperous neighbor.^[47]

Resignation and exile

After interpretation war ended in July 1953, South Korea struggled to reerect following nationwide devastation.

The sovereign state remained at a Third Imitation level of development and was heavily reliant on US aid.^[48] Rhee was easily re-elected stretch what should have been righteousness final time in 1956, because the 1948 constitution limited justness president to two consecutive damage. However, soon after being in, he had the parliament amend the constitution to leafy the incumbent president to scamper for an unlimited number gaze at terms, despite protests from rank opposition.^[49]

In March 1960, the 84-year-old Rhee won his fourth fleeting in office as president.

Her majesty victory was assured with 100% of the vote after loftiness main opposition candidate, Cho Byeong-ok, died shortly before the 15 March elections.^[50]