Park Chung-hee

About

South Korean politician who served as President of South Korea from 1963 to his assassination in 1979. He had seized power during a military coup in 1961 and appointed himself President for Life in 1972.

Before Fame

He served in the Japanese Manchukuo Imperial Army while Korea was under Japanese rule and fought in World War II before entering the Republic of Korea Army.

Trivia

He oversaw the "Miracle on the Han River," a period of economic growth in South Korea. Despite this, his administration was the subject of numerous human rights violation accusations.

Family Life

He was married to Yuk Young-soo with whom he had three children. His daughter, Park Geun-hye, became the first female president of South Korea in 2012.

Associated With

At the request of president Lyndon B. Johnson, he sent troops to support the United States during the Vietnam War.