President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing impeachment, after attempting to suspend civilian rule and impose martial law in South Korea. But this is not the only decline that the country has seen. Previous leaders have seen their regimes descend into chaos and turmoil.
Here’s a recap of the downfalls of past South Korean leaders:
Park Geun-hee – impeached and sent to prison
In 2016, Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president, was impeached by parliament and later jailed. Park, the daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee, had been in office since 2013 and had not described herself as corrupt. However, he was accused of accepting or soliciting millions of dollars from groups such as Samsung. Additional allegations included leaking classified documents, blacklisting artists who criticized his policies, and firing officials who opposed him.
Park’s impeachment was confirmed by the Constitutional Court in March 2017, leading to her indictment and prison sentence. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a heavy fine in 2021, but received a pardon from his successor, President Moon Jae-in, later that year. Interestingly, current President Yoon played a key role in Park’s dismissal and imprisonment as a Seoul prosecutor at the time.
Lee Myung-bak – 15 years in prison
Park Geun-hye’s conservative predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in October 2018 for corruption. He was found guilty of accepting bribes from Samsung in exchange for favors to the company’s then-chairman Lee Kun-hee, who was convicted of tax evasion. However, Lee Myung-bak’s prison term was reduced when he received a pardon from President Yoon in December 2022.
Roh Moo-hyun – died by suicide
Roh Moo-hyun, former President of South Korea from 2003 to 2008, tragically took his own life by jumping off a cliff in May 2009. The disastrous incident occurred while he was being investigated for accepting bribes totaling $6 million from a wealthy shoe manufacturer, which were paid to his wife and the husband of one of his nieces.
Chun Doo-hwan – “The Butcher of Gwangju”
Chun Doo-hwan, a notorious military strongman known for his brutal suppression of the Gwangju rebellion and also known as the “Butcher of Gwangju”, stepped down in 1987 amid massive protests. He handed over power to his protégé Roh Tae-woo, with whom he had a decades-long relationship when they were classmates at the military academy during the Korean War.
However, his legacy was marred by corruption and violence. In 1996, Chun and Roh were both convicted of treason for their roles in the 1979 coup that brought Chun to power, as well as the Gwangju Uprising and other crimes. Chun was initially sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Roh received a prison sentence of 22.5 years, which was later reduced to 17 years. Despite their convictions, both men were pardoned in 1998 after serving only two years in prison.
Park Chung-hee – murdered
South Korean dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated on October 26, 1979, by his own spy chief Kim Jae-gyu during a private dinner.
This shocking incident has been the subject of intense debate in South Korea, with many questioning whether the murder was premeditated.
Following Park’s death, army generals Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo took the opportunity to plot a coup in December 1979, plunging South Korea into political turmoil.
Yun Po-sun: overthrown in a coup
In 1961, President Yun Po-sun was deposed in a military coup organized by army officer Park Chung-hee. Although Yun was initially allowed to remain in office, Park effectively took control of the government. Park later consolidated his power by winning the 1963 election and eventually replaced Yun as president.
Syngman Rhee – forced to resign
South Korea’s first president, Syngman Rhee, was forced to resign in 1960 due to a massive student-led rebellion. Rhee’s attempt to extend his tenure through rigged elections sparked protests, sparking widespread outrage and calls for his removal.
After his resignation, Rea was exiled to Hawaii, where he lived the rest of his life until his death in 1965.
