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Park Chung-hee ( December 14 , 1917 – October 26 , 1979 ) was a South Korean politician and military general and one of the most important figures in modern Korean history. He is the longest-serving president in South Korean history, holding the position from 1963 to 1979. Under Park Chung-hee's leadership, South Korea achieved a series of economic and social changes, known as the "Han River Miracle."
Park Chung-hee was born in 1917 in Suwon-gun, Gyeonggi-do (now part of Suwon-si), Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He came from a poor rural family. Park Chung-hee demonstrated outstanding academic talent in his youth, and he received a government scholarship to study in Japan and attend the Imperial University School of Law in Tokyo. After the outbreak of the Korean War, Park Chung-hee joined the South Korean Army and excelled in battle. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and demonstrated excellence in military strategy and organization. His leadership skills were recognized and he was appointed principal of the Army Non-Commissioned Officer School.
Park Chung-hee's outstanding performance in the military has attracted the attention of South Korean politicians. In 1961, a military coup led by him and General Kim Young-sam overthrew the government of the First Republic and established a military regime. Park Chung-hee became the de facto leader of the military regime.
Park Chung-hee's government is committed to boosting South Korea's economy. He implemented a series of economic reforms to encourage foreign investment and export-oriented industries. The government strongly supports key industries, such as shipbuilding, iron and steel, automobile manufacturing, etc., and promotes rural modernization. These initiatives have contributed to the rapid growth of the Korean economy, transforming it from a poor agricultural country into an industrialized economic powerhouse.
In order to cultivate high-quality labor and technical personnel, the Park Chung-hee government vigorously developed the education system. He promoted universal compulsory education, raised the level of education, and encouraged the development of technical education. In addition, the government has increased investment in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, ports and power facilities, providing a solid foundation for economic development.
Despite Park's remarkable achievements in economic development, his leadership style has also been controversial. He implemented draconian policies to control freedom of expression and political repression, restricting political freedoms and the right to assembly. His regime has been criticized as authoritarian, and political opponents and activists have been regularly cracked down.
In 1979, Park Chung-hee was assassinated at the Blue House presidential palace in Seoul. The assassination was planned and carried out by former members of South Korea's central intelligence services. Park Chung-hee was killed in the assassination, ending his 16-year presidency.