The History of South Korean Presidents and the Recent Situation of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration

We examine the history of South Korea's presidents and the current situation of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is facing impeachment and an impending trial for detention.

Early Republic Era (1948–1960)

• Syngman Rhee (1948–1960): The first president of South Korea, elected through an indirect election system. After switching to a direct election system in 1952, he secured re-election but was ousted by the April 19 Revolution in 1960 due to his prolonged rule and electoral fraud, which challenged democratic progress.

Second Republic and Military Regimes (1960–1987)

• Yun Posun (1960–1962): Elected after the April 19 Revolution as president of the Second Republic, though real power rested with the cabinet. His term ended prematurely following Park Chung-hee's military coup in 1961.

• Park Chung-hee (1963–1979): Seized power through a military coup and later led South Korea's economic growth and industrialization. However, he strengthened his dictatorship under the Yushin Constitution. His presidency ended with his assassination in 1979.

• Choi Kyu-hah (1979–1980): Took office after Park's death but resigned under pressure from Chun Doo-hwan's new military regime.

• Chun Doo-hwan (1980–1988): Came to power through a military coup and established the Fifth Republic. His authoritarian rule and suppression of the Gwangju Democratization Movement sparked significant controversy.

Democratization Era and Introduction of Direct Elections (1987–Present)

• Roh Tae-woo (1988–1993): The first president elected directly after the June Democratic Uprising in 1987. He oversaw South Korea's transition to democracy but faced criticism for corruption.

• Kim Young-sam (1993–1998): Established the first civilian government, ending decades of military influence in politics. However, his administration struggled with the Asian financial crisis toward its end.

• Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003): Advocated for the "Sunshine Policy" to improve inter-Korean relations and won the Nobel Peace Prize. He also contributed to overcoming the financial crisis.

• Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008): Focused on reform policies during his administration but faced economic difficulties and political conflicts throughout his term.

Modern Politics and Changes (2008–Present)

• Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013): Emphasized economic growth through large-scale development projects but faced allegations of corruption toward the end of his presidency.

• Park Geun-hye (2013–2017): The first female president of South Korea, impeached due to a corruption scandal involving abuse of power, leading to her removal from office.

• Moon Jae-in (2017–2022): Elected after the Candlelight Revolution, focusing on eradicating corruption and fostering inter-Korean dialogue but criticized for issues like housing prices and economic challenges.

• Yoon Suk-yeol (2022–Present): The current president who emphasizes law, order, and fairness in governance.

Constitutional Changes

The South Korean constitution has undergone nine amendments, with shifts between indirect and direct election systems. The current single-term, five-year direct election system was established through constitutional reform in 1987.

Recent Developments Regarding Yoon Suk-yeol

Treason Allegations and Arrest Warrant

President Yoon is under investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of treason, with an arrest warrant issued against him—an unprecedented situation for a sitting president. Protests both supporting and opposing Yoon have intensified near the presidential residence, with police enforcing roadblocks to prevent clashes between demonstrators.

Political Reactions

The opposition parties are demanding Yoon's immediate arrest and impeachment, emphasizing the urgency of addressing alleged treasonous acts. Meanwhile, ruling party members argue that this is a politically motivated attack while calling for expedited trials against Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. In a letter to his supporters, Yoon vowed to "fight to protect constitutional democracy until the end," urging continued public support.

Economic Policies Amidst Political Turmoil

Despite political challenges, Yoon’s administration announced its 2025 economic policy direction, focusing on recovering livelihoods and maintaining international credibility. However, critics argue that policy momentum has weakened amid impeachment proceedings. While pursuing tax cuts and deregulation, critics highlight insufficient measures for domestic economic recovery and public welfare stabilization.

Significance of Current Events

The legal battle surrounding President Yoon Suk-yeol over treason charges marks a critical moment in South Korea’s political history. It not only affects governance but also influences domestic stability and international credibility. Decisions by the Constitutional Court and judiciary will likely serve as pivotal turning points moving forward.