Syngman Rhee

Syngman Rhee or Lee, Seung-man (March 26, 1875 - July 19, 1965) was a Korean politician and the first president of South Korea. His rule, from March 1948 to April 1960, remains a matter of controversy, arising from Cold War tensions on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere. Rhee, a professed Christian, was identified strongly with the conservative, anti-Communist side in Korean politics and geopolitics, and led South Korea throughout the Korean War. His presidency ended in resignation following popular protests against a disputed election. He died in exile in Hawaii.

Presidency

After Korea was liberated, Rhee returned to Seoul and pushed for a government presiding over southern part of the Korea only. Because of his strong anti-Communist views, it was virtually impossible for him to negotiate with Soviet-influenced leaders of the north to establish a united government. He was elected the first president of South Korea on 10 May, 1948 by a parliamentary vote, thereby defeating Kim Koo by a margin of 180-16 after left-wing parties boycotted the election. On 13 August 1948 he formally took over power from the US military. Reflecting his philosophy of "??? ?? ???? ???" (it means "United we live, divided we die), he governed in an authoritarian manner and allowed the internal security force to detain and torture several suspected Communists and North Korean agents. His government also oversaw several massacres, the most notable being on the island of Jeju in response to an uprising by leftist factions. While massacres did occur under the regimes that succeeded Rhee, they were fewer in number and less widespread.

Related Topics:
Seoul - Soviet - South Korea - 10 May - 1948 - Kim Koo - 13 August - North Korean - Jeju

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When the Korean War broke out in 1950, Rhee further damaged his reputation by encouraging the citizens of Seoul, the nation's capital, to remain in the city while he himself was already on his way to refuge. His decision to cut the bridges on the Han River prevented thousands of citizens from escaping Communist rule. When UN and South Korean forces fought back and drove the North Koreans north towards the Yalu River only to retreat to a line around current DMZ because of Chinese counterattack, Rhee became unpopular with his allies for refusing to agree to a number of ceasefire proposals that would have left Korea divided. Hoping to become the leader of a united Korea with U.N. assistance, he tried to veto any peace plan that would not eliminate the northern government completely. He also clamored for stronger methods to be used against China and often expressed annoyance at the reluctance of the U.S. to bomb it.

Related Topics:
1950 - Han River - UN - Yalu River - DMZ - Chinese

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On January 18, 1952, Rhee declared South Korean sovereignty over the waters around the Korean peninsula, in a concept similar to that of today's exclusive economic zones. The maritime demarcation thus drawn up, which Rhee called the "Peace Line", included the uninhabited islets named Liancourt Rocks. This led to protests from the Japanese government, which claimed that the islets should be considered Japanese territory. Minor clashes followed, but the islets have thereafter been under South Korean occupation.

Related Topics:
January 18 - 1952 - Exclusive economic zone - Liancourt Rocks

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Throughout his rule, Rhee sought to take additional steps to cement his control of government. In May 1952, when the government was still based in Busan due to the ongoing war, Rhee pushed through constitutional amendments which made the presidency a directly-elected position. In order to do this, he declared martial law and jailed the members of parliament whom he expected to vote against it. Rhee was subsequently elected by a wide margin. He regained control of parliament in the 1954 elections, and thereupon pushed through an amendment to exempt himself from the eight-year term limit.

Related Topics:
1952 - 1954

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Rhee's prospects for reelection during the presidential campaign of 1956 initially seemed dim. Public disillusionment regarding his attempt to seek a third term was growing, and the main opposition candidate Shin Ik-hee drew immense crowds during his campaign. Shin's sudden death while on the campaign trail, however, allowed Rhee to win the presidency with ease. The runner-up of that election, Cho Bong-am of the Progressive Party, was later charged with espionage and executed in 1959.

Related Topics:
1956 - Cho Bong-am - 1959

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