Third Republic of South Korea

Republic of Korea 대한민국 大韓民國
← 1963–1972 →
Flag
Anthem Aegukga
Capital	Seoul
Language(s)	Korean
Government	Republic
President	Park Chung-hee
Prime Minister
- 1963–1964	Choi Tu-son
- 1964–1970	Chung Il-kwon
- 1970–1971	Baek Du-jin
- 1971–1972	Kim Jong-pil
Legislature	National Assembly
History
- Established	1963
- Approval of the Yushin Constitution	December 1972
Currency	South Korean won

The Third Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea from 1963 to 1972. It was presented as a return to civilian rule after a period of rule by the military junta known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction which had overthrown the Second Republic of South Korea in 1961. However, throughout this period the presidency was held by Park Chung-hee, who had also been an influential member of the junta. He left his military post in order to run as a civilian in the presidential election.

Park ran again in the election of 1967, taking 51.4% of the vote.^[1] At the time the presidency was constitutionally limited to two terms, but a constitutional amendment was forced through the National Assembly in 1969 to allow him to seek a third term.^[2] He was re-elected in the 1971 presidential election. The leading opposition candidate was Kim Dae-jung, who lost by a narrow margin.^[3]

The Third Republic of South Korea was replaced in 1972 by the Fourth Republic of South Korea under the Third Republic of South Korea's president Park Chung-hee.

Economy

The economy grew rapidly during this period. The Park regime used the influx of foreign aid from Japan and the United States to provide loans to export businesses at negative interest. It also supported the construction of the POSCO steel mill, which came online early in the Fourth Republic.

On December 6, 1971, Park declared a state of national emergency. On July 4 of the following year, he announced plans for reunification in a joint communique with North Korea. Park declared martial law on October 17, 1972, dissolving the National Assembly. He also announced plans to eliminate the popular election of the president.

Education

This period saw the introduction of several reforms and changes to the educational system. In 1968, the middle-school entrance examinations were abolished, placing all middle schools on an equal footing.^[4]

Also in 1968, a Charter of National Education was adopted.^[5] This document reflected the government's desire to emphasize nationalism and anti-communism in education. The charter outlined four goals: national revitalization, creating self-reliant individuals, promulgating a new cooperative image of the nation, and supporting anti-communism. ^[6]

Likewise, the government sought to reduce political activism by college students by increasing academic competition. The government allowed universities and colleges to recruit up to 130% of their graduation quota, so that students would be forced to compete against one another in order to graduate. However, student activism continued at a reduced level despite these measures.

International relations

The Third Republic saw South Korea begin to take a more confident role in international relations. Relations with Japan were normalized in an agreement ratified on August 14, 1965.^[7] The government continued its close ties with the United States, and continued to receive large amounts of aid. A status of forces agreement was concluded in 1965, clarifying the legal situation of the US forces stationed there.^[8] Soon thereafter, Korea joined the Vietnam War, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers to fight alongside the US.^[9]

Notes

1. ^ Yonhap (2004, p. 271).
2. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 423); Yonhap, loc. cit.
3. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 424)
4. ^ KOIS (2003, p. 336)
5. ^ KOIS (2003, p. 336); Yang (1999, p. 757)
6. ^ Yang (loc. cit.)
7. ^ Cumings (1997, p. 320).
8. ^[10] Cumings (1997, p. 321).
9. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 425).

References

• Cumings, Bruce (1997). Korea's place in the sun. New York: W.W. Norton. ISBN 0-393-31681-5. 
• Lee, Ki-baek, tr. by E.W. Wagner & E.J. Shultz (1984). A new history of Korea (rev. ed.). Seoul: Ilchogak. ISBN 89-337-0204-0. 
• Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people (2nd ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-070-2. 
• Yang, Sung Chul (1999). The North and South Korean political systems: A comparative analysis (rev. ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-105-9. 
• Yonhap News Agency (2004). Korea Annual 2004. Seoul: Author. ISBN 89-7433-070-9. 

See also

• History of South Korea
• History of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics