Roh Tae-Woo

About

South Korean politician known for being the country's first elected president in a free and fair election. He served as president from 1988 to 1993. He was the leader of the Democratic Justice Party.

Before Fame

He fought in the South Korean Army in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was involved in the 1979 military coup by Chun Doo-hwan to oust then-President Choi Kyu-hah and the subsequent 1980 Gwangju massacre. After retiring from the army in 1981, Chun offered him the position of Minister of State for National Security and Foreign Affairs. He later served as the Sports Minister, Home Affairs Minister, and President of the Seoul Olympics Organizing Committee.

Trivia

He is known for making the June 29 proclamation in which he promised widespread reforms and a new democratic constitution. In 1995, he was charged with treason, mutiny and corruption, and sentenced to 17 years in prison. He was pardoned in 1997. 

Family Life

He was born in Tatsujō-gun, Taikyū, Keishōhoku-dō, Chōsen, which is now Dong-gu, Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. He was married to Kim Ok-suk and they had two children.

Associated With

He was succeeded by Kim Young-sam who took over as president in 1993.