Park Chung Hee

Park Chung Hee , 1917-79, president (1963-79) of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Starting (1940) his military career in the Japanese army, he joined the new South Korean army after the establishment of Korean independence at the end of World War II and rose through the ranks. In 1961 he was a member of the military junta that overthrew the civilian government. He became chairman of the junta government and in 1963 was elected president. He was reelected in 1967 and again in 1971, having amended (1969) the constitution to allow himself a third successive term. Although his government aided economic progress by emphasizing export-oriented growth, it became more dictatorial over the years. In 1972, Park declared martial law, allegedly to institute revitalizing reforms, and again altered the constitution to give himself almost unlimited power. Despite demands for democratic government, censorship, political repression, and torture of political prisoners increased. In Aug., 1974, Park's wife was killed during one of the several assassination attempts against him. Park was killed in 1979 by the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency.

Park Chung Hee (1917–79) South Korean general and statesman, president (1963–79). In 1961, he seized power in a military coup. In 1963, Park was elected president. He was re-elected in 1967 and 1971. Park was assassinated by the head of the South Korean Central Intelligence Agency.

Park Chung Hee (b. 30 Sept. 1917, d. 26 Oct. 1979). President of the Republic of Korea 1963–79 Born in Sonsan into a poor family, he became a primary school teacher in 1937. In World War II, he went to Manchuria and received training at the Manchukuo as well as the Japanese Military Academy. After the war, he went to South Korea to enlist in the Korean Constabulary, which was soon transformed into the armed forces. As one of the army's senior members he led the 1961 May Military Revolution. He formed a military junta, and in 1963 had himself formally elected President. While maintaining a politically illiberal regime, he encouraged industrial development and educational reforms. In 1971–2, he changed the constitution to the Yushin (Revitalizing Reform) rule. This created a fully authoritarian government. He banned all anti-government activities, while many intellectuals were arrested and killed. He proclaimed martial law in 1972 and was then re-elected twice in 1972 and 1978. His government not only became increasingly authoritarian, but also increasingly corrupt. He was assassinated by the head of the South Korean Central Intelligence Agency.