The history of South Korea formally begins with the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945.
Noting that, South Korea and North Korea are entirely different countries, despite still being the same people and on the same peninsula. Korea was administratively partitioned in 1945, at the end of World War II.
military administration 1945–1948== Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of the Empire of Japan to the Allied Powers on 15 August 1945.
military forces and approved on 17 August 1945) prescribed separate surrender procedures for Japanese forces in Korea north and south of the 38th parallel.
After Japan's surrender to the Allies (formalised on 2 September 1945), division at the 38th parallel marked the beginning of Soviet and U.S.
The trusteeship had been discussed at the Yalta Conference in February 1945.
forces landed at Incheon on September 8, 1945 and established a military government shortly thereafter.
Faced with mounting popular discontent, in October 1945 Hodge established the Korean Advisory Council.
Waves of refugees from North Korea and returnees from abroad added to the turmoil. In December 1945 a conference convened in Moscow to discuss the future of Korea. A 5-year trusteeship was discussed, and a was established.
However, on December 12, 1948, by its resolution 195 in the Third General Assembly, the United Nations recognized the Republic of Korea as the sole legal government of Korea. In 1946, the North implemented land reforms by confiscating private property, Japanese and pro-Japanese owned facilities and factories, and placed them under state ownership.
In September 1947, with no solution in sight, the United States submitted the Korean question to the UN General Assembly. The resolution from the UN General Assembly called for a UN-supervised general election in Korea, but after the North rejected this proposition, a general election for a Constitutional Assembly took place in the South only, in May 1948.
This led in 1948 to the establishment of two separate governments with the two very opposive ideologies; the Communist-aligned Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the West-aligned First Republic of Korea – each claiming to be the legitimate government of all of Korea.
After much destruction, the war ended on July 27, 1953, with the 1948 status quo being restored, as neither the DPRK nor the First Republic had succeeded in conquering the other's portion of the divided Korea.
In September 1947, with no solution in sight, the United States submitted the Korean question to the UN General Assembly. The resolution from the UN General Assembly called for a UN-supervised general election in Korea, but after the North rejected this proposition, a general election for a Constitutional Assembly took place in the South only, in May 1948.
Rhee Syngman, as head of the new assembly, assumed the presidency and proclaimed the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on August 15, 1948. ==First Republic 1948–1960== On 15 August 1948, the Republic of Korea was formally established, with Syngman Rhee as the first president.
On September 9, 1948, a communist government, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), was proclaimed under Kim Il-sung.
However, on December 12, 1948, by its resolution 195 in the Third General Assembly, the United Nations recognized the Republic of Korea as the sole legal government of Korea. In 1946, the North implemented land reforms by confiscating private property, Japanese and pro-Japanese owned facilities and factories, and placed them under state ownership.
The Soviet forces having withdrawn in 1948, North Korea pressured the South to expel the United States forces, but Rhee sought to align his government strongly with America, and against both North Korea and Japan.
In 1948, the Rhee government repressed military uprisings in Jeju, Suncheon and Yeosu.
A famous event that highlighted this was the arrest and conviction of future President Park Chung-hee, for communist conspiracy in 1948. The main policy of the First Republic of South Korea was anti-communism and "unification by expanding northward".
Demand for land reform in the South grew strong, and it was eventually enacted in June 1949.
On June 25, 1950, the Korean War broke out.
With the People's Republic of China's entry on behalf of North Korea in late 1950, the fighting came to a stalemate close to the original line of demarcation.
Armistice negotiations, initiated in July 1951, finally concluded on 27 July 1953 at Panmunjeom, now in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
These began in 1952, when the government was still based in Busan due to the ongoing war.
After much destruction, the war ended on July 27, 1953, with the 1948 status quo being restored, as neither the DPRK nor the First Republic had succeeded in conquering the other's portion of the divided Korea.
Armistice negotiations, initiated in July 1951, finally concluded on 27 July 1953 at Panmunjeom, now in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Following the armistice, the South Korean government returned to Seoul on the symbolic date of 15 August 1953. After the armistice, South Korea experienced political turmoil under years of autocratic leadership of Syngman Rhee, which was ended by student revolt in 1960.
Rhee was subsequently elected by a wide margin. Rhee regained control of parliament in the 1954 election, and thereupon pushed through an amendment to exempt himself from the eight-year term limit, and was once again re-elected in 1956.
Rhee was subsequently elected by a wide margin. Rhee regained control of parliament in the 1954 election, and thereupon pushed through an amendment to exempt himself from the eight-year term limit, and was once again re-elected in 1956.
Soon after, Rhee's administration arrested members of the opposing party and executed the leader after accusing him of being a North Korean spy. The administration became increasingly repressive while dominating the political arena, and in 1958, it sought to amend the National Security Law to tighten government control over all levels of administration, including the local units.
The First Republic, arguably democratic at its inception, became increasingly autocratic until its collapse in 1960.
Since the 1960s, the country has developed from one of Asia's poorest to one of the world's wealthiest nations.
Following the armistice, the South Korean government returned to Seoul on the symbolic date of 15 August 1953. After the armistice, South Korea experienced political turmoil under years of autocratic leadership of Syngman Rhee, which was ended by student revolt in 1960.
These measures caused much outrage among the people, but despite public outcry, Rhee's administration rigged the March 1960 presidential election and won by a landslide. On that election day, protests by students and citizens against the irregularities of the election burst out in the city of Masan.
Subsequent protests throughout the country shook the government, and after an escalated protest with university professors taking to the streets on April 25, Rhee submitted his official resignation on April 26 and fled into exile. ==Second Republic 1960–1963== After the student revolution, power was briefly held by an interim administration under the Foreign Minister Heo Jeong.
A new parliamentary election was held on July 29, 1960.
The assembly elected Yun Bo-seon as President and Chang Myon as the Prime Minister and head of government in August, 1960. The Second Republic saw the proliferation of political activity which had been repressed under the Rhee regime.
Union membership and activity grew rapidly during the later months of 1960, including the Teachers' Union, Journalists' Union, and the Federation of Korean Trade Union.
A Special Law to this effect was passed on October 31, 1960.
The Second Republic saw the hwan lose half of its value against the dollar between fall 1960 and spring 1961. Although the government had been established with support of the people, it had failed to implement effective reforms which brought about endless social unrest, political turmoil and ultimately, the May 16 coup. ===Military rule 1961–1963=== The May 16 coup, led by Major General Park Chung-hee on May 16, 1961, put an effective end to the Second Republic.
The Second Republic saw the hwan lose half of its value against the dollar between fall 1960 and spring 1961. Although the government had been established with support of the people, it had failed to implement effective reforms which brought about endless social unrest, political turmoil and ultimately, the May 16 coup. ===Military rule 1961–1963=== The May 16 coup, led by Major General Park Chung-hee on May 16, 1961, put an effective end to the Second Republic.
In May 1961, the junta declared "Pledges of the Revolution": anticommunism; strengthened relations with the United States; an end to government corruption termed "fresh and clean morality"; a self-reliant economy; working towards reunification; and a return to democratic civilian government within two years. As a means to check the opposition, the military authority created the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) in June 1961, with Kim Jong-pil, a relative of Park, as its first director.
In December 1962, a referendum was held on returning to a presidential system of rule, which was allegedly passed with a 78% majority.
He was the country's first civilian president in 30 years since 1962 and promised to build a "New Korea".
However, Park became presidential candidate of the new Democratic Republican Party (DRP), which consisted of mainly KCIA officials, ran for president and won the election of 1963 by a narrow margin. ==Third Republic 1963–1972== Park's administration started the Third Republic by announcing the Five-Year Economic Development Plan, an export-oriented industrialization policy.
Soon thereafter, Korea joined the Vietnam War, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers from 1964 to 1973 to fight alongside US troops and South Vietnamese Armed Forces. Economic and technological growth during this period improved the standard for living, which expanded opportunities for education.
Cooperating with the government, these businesses would later become the chaebol. Relations with Japan were normalized by the Korea-Japan treaty ratified in June 1965.
A status of forces agreement was concluded in 1966, clarifying the legal situation of the US forces stationed there.
The movement's goal was to improve the quality of rural life, modernize both rural and urban societies and narrow the income gap between them. Park ran again in the 1967 presidential election, taking 51.4% of the vote.
At the time the presidency was constitutionally limited to two terms, but a constitutional amendment was forced through the National Assembly in 1969 to allow him to seek a third term.
As the rural economy steadily lost ground and caused dissent among the farmers, however, the government decided to implement measures to increase farm productivity and income by instituting the Saemaul Movement ("New Village Movement") in 1971.
Major protests and demonstrations against the constitutional amendment broke out, with large support gaining for the opposition leader Kim Dae-jung, but Park was again re-elected in the 1971 presidential election. Parliamentary elections followed shortly after the presidential election where the opposition party garnered most of the seats, giving them the power to pass constitutional amendments.
Park, feeling threatened, declared a state of national emergency on December 6, 1971.
In a sudden gesture, the government proclaimed a joint communiqué for reunification with North Korea on July 4, 1972, and held Red Cross talks in Seoul and Pyongyang.
However, there was no change in government policy regarding reunification, and on October 17, 1972, Park declared martial law, dissolving the National Assembly and suspending the constitution. ==Fourth Republic 1972–1979== The Fourth Republic began with the adoption of the Yushin Constitution on November 21, 1972.
Soon thereafter, Korea joined the Vietnam War, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers from 1964 to 1973 to fight alongside US troops and South Vietnamese Armed Forces. Economic and technological growth during this period improved the standard for living, which expanded opportunities for education.
As most of the development had come from foreign capital, most of the profit went back to repaying the loans and interest. Students and activists for democracy continued their demonstrations and protests for the abolition of the Yushin system and in the face of continuing popular unrest, Park's administration promulgated emergency decrees in 1974 and 1975, which led to the jailing of hundreds of dissidents.
As most of the development had come from foreign capital, most of the profit went back to repaying the loans and interest. Students and activists for democracy continued their demonstrations and protests for the abolition of the Yushin system and in the face of continuing popular unrest, Park's administration promulgated emergency decrees in 1974 and 1975, which led to the jailing of hundreds of dissidents.
In 1978, Park was elected to another term by indirect election, which was met with more demonstrations and protests.
In 1979, mass anti-government demonstrations occurred nationwide, in the midst of this political turmoil, Park Chung-hee was assassinated by the director of the KCIA, Kim Jae-gyu, thus bringing the 18-year rule of military regime to an end. ==Fifth Republic 1979–1987== After the assassination of Park Chung-hee, Prime Minister Choi Kyu-hah took the president's role only to be usurped 6 days later by Major General Chun Doo-hwan's 1979 Coup d'état of December Twelfth.
Chun Doo-hwan declared martial law on May 17, 1980, and protests escalated.
Political opponents Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil were arrested, and Kim Young-sam was confined to house arrest. On May 18, 1980, a confrontation broke out in the city of Gwangju between protesting students of Chonnam National University and the armed forces dispatched by the Martial Law Command.
In June 1980, Chun ordered the National Assembly to be dissolved.
In September 1980, President Choi Kyu-hah was forced to resign from president to give way to the new military leader, Chun Doo-hwan. In September of that year, Chun was elected president by indirect election and inaugurated in March of the following year, officially starting the Fifth Republic.
However, in 1980 North Korea had submitted a "one nation, two system" reunification proposal which was met with a suggestion from the South to meet and prepare a unification constitution and government through a referendum.
However, the growth of the economy had slowed down compared to the 1980s, resulting in stagnant exports, while commodity prices kept on rising. Shortly after Roh's inauguration, the Seoul Olympics took place, raising South Korea's international recognition and also greatly influencing foreign policy.
The relationship with North Korea was strained when in 1983 a terrorist bomb attack in Burma killed 17 high-ranking officials attending memorial ceremonies and North Korea was alleged to be behind the attacks.
The humanitarian issue of reuniting separated families was dealt with first, and in September 1985, families from both sides of the border made cross visits to Seoul and Pyongyang in an historic event. The government made many efforts for cultural development: the National Museum of Korea, Seoul Arts Center, and National Museum of Contemporary Art were all constructed during this time.
In the 1985 National Assembly elections, opposition parties won more votes than the government party, clearly indicating that the public wanted a change.
The 1986 Asian Games were held successfully, and the bid for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul was successful as well. Despite economic growth and success in diplomatic relations, the government that gained power by coup d'etat was essentially a military regime and the public's support and trust in it was low when the promises for democratic reform never materialized.
The Gwangju massacre was never forgotten and in January 1987, when a protesting Seoul National University student died under police interrogation, public fury was immense.
In April 1987, President Chun made a declaration that measures would be taken to protect the current constitution, instead of reforming it to allow for the direct election of the president.
This announcement consolidated and strengthened the opposition; in June 1987, more than a million students and citizens participated in the nationwide anti-government protests of the June Democracy Movement. On June 29, 1987, the government's presidential nominee Roh Tae-woo gave in to the demands and announced the June 29 Declaration, which called for the holding of direct presidential elections and restoration of civil rights.
In October 1987 a revised Constitution was approved by a national referendum and direct elections for a new president were held in December, bringing the Fifth Republic to a close. ==Sixth Republic 1987–present== The Sixth Republic was established in 1987 and remains the current polity of South Korea. ===Roh Tae-woo, 1988–1993=== Roh Tae-woo became president for the 13th presidential term in the first direct presidential election in 16 years.
The 1986 Asian Games were held successfully, and the bid for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul was successful as well. Despite economic growth and success in diplomatic relations, the government that gained power by coup d'etat was essentially a military regime and the public's support and trust in it was low when the promises for democratic reform never materialized.
In October 1987 a revised Constitution was approved by a national referendum and direct elections for a new president were held in December, bringing the Fifth Republic to a close. ==Sixth Republic 1987–present== The Sixth Republic was established in 1987 and remains the current polity of South Korea. ===Roh Tae-woo, 1988–1993=== Roh Tae-woo became president for the 13th presidential term in the first direct presidential election in 16 years.
The first female presidential candidate, Hong Sook-ja, even withdrew from the race in order to back Kim Young-sam against Roh. Roh was officially inaugurated in February 1988.
Roh's government announced the official unification plan, Nordpolitik, and established diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, China, and countries in East Europe. A historic event was held in 1990 when North Korea accepted the proposal for exchange between the two Koreas, resulting in high-level talks, and cultural and sports exchanges.
In 1991, a joint communiqué on denuclearization was agreed upon, and the two Koreas simultaneously became members of the UN. ===Kim Young-sam, 1993–1998=== Kim Young-sam was elected president in the 1992 elections after Roh's tenure.
In 1991, a joint communiqué on denuclearization was agreed upon, and the two Koreas simultaneously became members of the UN. ===Kim Young-sam, 1993–1998=== Kim Young-sam was elected president in the 1992 elections after Roh's tenure.
In 1991, a joint communiqué on denuclearization was agreed upon, and the two Koreas simultaneously became members of the UN. ===Kim Young-sam, 1993–1998=== Kim Young-sam was elected president in the 1992 elections after Roh's tenure.
The country also faced a variety of catastrophes which claimed many lives: a train collision and a ship sinking in 1993, and the Seongsu Bridge and Sampoong Department Store collapses in 1994 and 1995.
The country also faced a variety of catastrophes which claimed many lives: a train collision and a ship sinking in 1993, and the Seongsu Bridge and Sampoong Department Store collapses in 1994 and 1995.
Local government elections were held in 1995, and parliamentary elections in 1996.
The country also faced a variety of catastrophes which claimed many lives: a train collision and a ship sinking in 1993, and the Seongsu Bridge and Sampoong Department Store collapses in 1994 and 1995.
Local government elections were held in 1995, and parliamentary elections in 1996.
They were tried and sentenced to prison in December 1996. Relations with the North improved and a summit meeting was planned, but postponed indefinitely with the death of Kim Il-sung.
The government also carried out substantial financial and economical reforms, joining the OECD in 1996, but encountered difficulties with political and financial scandals involving his son.
These incidents were a blow to the civilian government. In 1997, the nation suffered a severe financial crisis, and the government approached the International Monetary Fund for relief funds.
The economy was affected by the global recession as the worst economic crisis since 1997 hit the country.
This is the first time an opposition candidate won the presidency. ===Kim Dae-jung 1998–2003=== In February 1998, Kim Dae-jung was officially inaugurated.
Immediate estimates of the civilian death toll ranged from a few dozen to 2000, with a later full investigation by the civilian government finding nearly 200 deaths and 850 injured.
For these efforts, Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. ===Roh Moo-hyun, 2003–2008=== Roh Moo-hyun was elected to the presidency in December 2002 by direct election.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with Japan, was a major cultural event where millions of supporters gathered to cheer in public places. In diplomacy, Kim Dae-jung pursued the "Sunshine Policy", a series of efforts to reconcile with North Korea.
For these efforts, Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. ===Roh Moo-hyun, 2003–2008=== Roh Moo-hyun was elected to the presidency in December 2002 by direct election.
For these efforts, Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. ===Roh Moo-hyun, 2003–2008=== Roh Moo-hyun was elected to the presidency in December 2002 by direct election.
This approach did not please the public, however, and by the end of 2003, approval ratings were falling. The Roh administration succeeded in overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, diluting the collusive ties between politics and business, empowering the civil society, settling the Korea-United States FTA issue, continuing summit talks with North Korea, and launching the high-speed train system, KTX.
But despite a boom in the stock market, youth unemployment rates were high, real estate prices skyrocketed and the economy lagged. In March 2004, the National Assembly voted to impeach Roh on charges of breach of election laws and corruption.
However, the ruling party then lost its majority in by-elections in 2005, as discontinued reform plans, continual labor unrest, Roh's personal feuds with the media, and diplomatic friction with the United States and Japan caused criticism of the government's competence on political and socioeconomic issues and on foreign affairs. In April 2009, Roh Moo-hyun and his family members were investigated for bribery and corruption; Roh denied the charges.
On 23 May 2009, Roh committed suicide by jumping into a ravine. ===Lee Myung-bak, 2008–2013=== Roh's successor, Lee Myung-bak, was inaugurated in February 2008.
In April 2008, the ruling party secured a majority in the National Assembly elections.
However, the ruling party then lost its majority in by-elections in 2005, as discontinued reform plans, continual labor unrest, Roh's personal feuds with the media, and diplomatic friction with the United States and Japan caused criticism of the government's competence on political and socioeconomic issues and on foreign affairs. In April 2009, Roh Moo-hyun and his family members were investigated for bribery and corruption; Roh denied the charges.
On 23 May 2009, Roh committed suicide by jumping into a ravine. ===Lee Myung-bak, 2008–2013=== Roh's successor, Lee Myung-bak, was inaugurated in February 2008.
The 2010 G20 summit was held in Seoul, where issues regarding the global economic crisis were discussed. ===Park Geun-hye, 2013–2017=== Park Geun-hye was inaugurated in February 2013.
The 2010 G20 summit was held in Seoul, where issues regarding the global economic crisis were discussed. ===Park Geun-hye, 2013–2017=== Park Geun-hye was inaugurated in February 2013.
Over the years, however, her reputation was marred by her incompetency of handling the Sewol ferry disaster, and later a major scandal, leading to her impeachment in December 2016.
The corruption scandal involving Choi Soon-sil quickly blew up after reports from multiple news organizations (the most notable of which was JTBC) in 2016, nationwide protests ensued on a weekly basis, with participant count hitting a maximum of over 2.3 million (as reported by the protesters).
The impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court on 10 March 2017, ending Park's presidency and forcing her out of office. ===Moon Jae-in, 2017–present=== Moon Jae-in is the current president of South Korea.
He was inaugurated on May 10, 2017.
As President, Moon Jae-in has met with North Korean chairman Kim Jong-un at the April 2018 inter-Korean summit, May 2018 inter-Korean summit, and September 2018 inter-Korean summit.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the nation in 2020.
That same year, South Korea recorded more deaths than births, resulting in a population decline for the first time on record. In April 2020, President Moon’s Democratic party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections.
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