Third Republic of South Korea
Encyclopedia
The Third Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea
from 1963 to 1972. It was presented as a return to civilian rule after a period of rule by the military junta known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction
which had overthrown the Second Republic of South Korea
in 1961. However, throughout this period the presidency was held by Park Chung-hee
, who had also been an influential member of the junta. He left his military post in order to run as a civilian in the presidential election
.
Park ran again in the election of 1967
, 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. He was re-elected in the 1971 presidential election
. The leading opposition candidate was Kim Dae-jung, who lost by a narrow margin.
The Third Republic of South Korea was replaced in 1972 by the Fourth Republic of South Korea
under the Third Republic of South Korea's president Park Chung-hee
.
On December 6, 1971, Park declared a state of national emergency. On July 4 of the following year, he announced plans for reunification in a joint communique with North Korea. Park declared martial law
on October 17, 1972, dissolving the National Assembly. He also announced plans to eliminate the popular election of the president.
Also in 1968, a Charter of National Education was adopted. This document reflected the government's desire to emphasize nationalism and anti-communism
in education. The charter outlined four goals: national revitalization, creating self-reliant individuals, promulgating a new cooperative image of the nation, and supporting anti-communism.
Likewise, the government sought to reduce political activism by college students by increasing academic competition. The government allowed universities and colleges to recruit up to 130% of their graduation quota, so that students would be forced to compete against one another in order to graduate. However, student activism continued at a reduced level despite these measures.
was concluded in 1965, clarifying the legal situation of the US forces stationed there. Soon thereafter, Korea joined the Vietnam War
, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers to fight alongside the US.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
from 1963 to 1972. It was presented as a return to civilian rule after a period of rule by the military junta known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction
Supreme Council for National Reconstruction
The Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, initially named the Revolutionary Committee, was a military junta that oversaw the government of South Korea from May 16, 1961 until the inauguration of the Third Republic of South Korea in 1963...
which had overthrown the Second Republic of South Korea
Second Republic of South Korea
The Second Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea for eight months in 1960 and 1961. It succeeded the First Republic, but was followed by a military government under the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.-Establishment:...
in 1961. However, throughout this period the presidency was held by Park Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth...
, who had also been an influential member of the junta. He left his military post in order to run as a civilian in the presidential election
South Korean presidential election, 1963
The first presidential elections in South Korea since the 1961 May Coup took place on 15 October 1963. The result was a narrow victory for the acting incumbent and leader of the governing military Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, Park Chung Hee, who won 46.6% of the vote, securing a...
.
Park ran again in the election of 1967
South Korean presidential election, 1967
Presidential elections were held in South Korea on 3 May 1967. The result was a victory for Park Chung-hee, who won 51.4% of the vote. Voter turnout was 83.6%.-Provincial results:...
, taking 51.4% of the vote. At the time the presidency was constitutionally limited to two terms, but a constitutional amendment
Constitutional amendment
A constitutional amendment is a formal change to the text of the written constitution of a nation or state.Most constitutions require that amendments cannot be enacted unless they have passed a special procedure that is more stringent than that required of ordinary legislation...
was forced through the National Assembly in 1969 to allow him to seek a third term. He was re-elected in the 1971 presidential election
South Korean presidential election, 1971
Presidential elections were held in South Korea on 27 April 1971. The result was a victory for Park Chung-hee, who won 53.2% of the vote. Voter turnout was 79.8%.-Provincial results:...
. The leading opposition candidate was Kim Dae-jung, who lost by a narrow margin.
The Third Republic of South Korea was replaced in 1972 by the Fourth Republic of South Korea
Fourth Republic of South Korea
The Fourth Republic was the government of South Korea between 1972 and 1981, regulated by the Yushin Constitution adopted in October 1972 and confirmed in a referendum on 21 November 1972. From 1972 to 1979, power was monopolized by Park Chung Hee and his Democratic Republican Party under the...
under the Third Republic of South Korea's president Park Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth...
.
Economy
The economy grew rapidly during this period. The Park regime used the influx of foreign aid from Japan and the United States to provide loans to export businesses at negative interest. It also supported the construction of the POSCO steel mill, which came online early in the Fourth Republic.On December 6, 1971, Park declared a state of national emergency. On July 4 of the following year, he announced plans for reunification in a joint communique with North Korea. Park declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
on October 17, 1972, dissolving the National Assembly. He also announced plans to eliminate the popular election of the president.
Education
This period saw the introduction of several reforms and changes to the educational system. In 1968, the middle-school entrance examinations were abolished, placing all middle schools on an equal footing.Also in 1968, a Charter of National Education was adopted. This document reflected the government's desire to emphasize nationalism and anti-communism
Anti-communism
Anti-communism is opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed in reaction to the rise of communism, especially after the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the beginning of the Cold War in 1947.-Objections to communist theory:...
in education. The charter outlined four goals: national revitalization, creating self-reliant individuals, promulgating a new cooperative image of the nation, and supporting anti-communism.
Likewise, the government sought to reduce political activism by college students by increasing academic competition. The government allowed universities and colleges to recruit up to 130% of their graduation quota, so that students would be forced to compete against one another in order to graduate. However, student activism continued at a reduced level despite these measures.
International relations
The Third Republic saw South Korea begin to take a more confident role in international relations. Relations with Japan were normalized in an agreement ratified on August 14, 1965. The government continued its close ties with the United States, and continued to receive large amounts of aid. A status of forces agreementStatus of Forces Agreement
A status of forces agreement is an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation stationing forces in that country. SOFAs are often included, along with other types of military agreements, as part of a comprehensive security arrangement...
was concluded in 1965, clarifying the legal situation of the US forces stationed there. Soon thereafter, Korea joined the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers to fight alongside the US.
See also
- History of South KoreaHistory of South KoreaThe history of South Korea formally begins with the establishment of South Korea on 15 August 1948, although Syngman Rhee had declared the establishment in Seoul on 13 August....
- History of KoreaHistory of KoreaThe Korean Peninsula was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic about 400,000-500,000 years ago. Archeological evidence indicates that the presence of modern humans in northeast Asia dates to 39,000 years ago. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began...
- List of Korea-related topics