Overview
Syngman Rhee (March 26, 1875 – July 19, 1965) was a Korean independence activist and politician who served as the first President of South Korea from 1948 to 1960. Known as the "Founding Father of the Republic of Korea," he led diplomatic independence movements in the United States and served as the first President of the Korean Provisional Government. He was forced to resign during the April 19 Revolution in 1960.
Basic Information
| Name | Syngman Rhee (이승만) |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1875 |
| Date of Death | July 19, 1965 (aged 90) |
| Birthplace | Pyeongsan County, Hwanghae Province |
| Education | Ph.D. in Political Science, Princeton University |
| Party | Liberal Party |
| Term | July 24, 1948 – April 26, 1960 |
Education
Rhee entered Paichai School in 1895, where he was introduced to modern Western education. He later studied in the United States, earning a B.A. from George Washington University, an M.A. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Princeton University in 1910.
Independence Movement
Early Activities
Rhee participated in the Independence Club and Peoples Assembly in 1898. He was imprisoned from 1899 to 1904 for alleged involvement in a plot to dethrone Emperor Gojong, during which he wrote "The Spirit of Independence."
Activities in America
After release, he went to the United States in 1904 and met President Theodore Roosevelt to appeal for Korean independence. He established the Korean Commission in Washington and conducted diplomatic independence activities.
Provisional Government
When the Korean Provisional Government was established in Shanghai in 1919, Rhee was elected as its first President.
First President
After UN-supervised elections in May 1948, Rhee was elected as the first President of the Republic of Korea by the National Assembly in July, receiving 180 out of 196 votes. He proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Korea on August 15, 1948.
April 19 Revolution
Public outrage over the rigged March 15 elections in 1960 sparked the April 19 Revolution. Facing massive student and citizen protests, Rhee resigned on April 26 and went into exile in Hawaii, where he died in 1965.