- Choi Kyu-hah
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Choi Kyu-hah
최규하
崔圭夏Choi as the Prime Minister of South Korea 10th President of South Korea In office
1979–1980Preceded by Park Chung-hee Succeeded by Chun Doo-hwan 19th Prime Minister of South Korea In office
1976–1979Personal details Born July 16, 1919
Wonju, Gangwon, Colonial Korea (now South Korea)Died October 22, 2006 (aged 87)
Mapo-gu, Seoul, South KoreaNationality Korean Political party Liberal Party Spouse(s) Hong Gi Religion None[1] Korean name Hangul 최규하 Hanja 崔圭夏 Revised Romanization Choe Gyu-ha McCune–Reischauer Ch'oe Kyuha Pen name Hangul 현석 Hanja 玄石 Revised Romanization Hyeonseok McCune–Reischauer Hyŏnsŏk Courtesy name Hangul 서옥 Hanja 瑞玉 Revised Romanization Seook McCune–Reischauer Sŏok Choi Kyu-hah (July 16, 1919– October 22, 2006) (also spelled Choi Kyu-ha) was the President of South Korea between 1979 and 1980. He was born in Wonju, Gangwon Province. He served as foreign minister from 1967 to 1971 and as prime minister from 1975 to 1979.
After the assassination of Park Chung-hee in 1979, then Prime Minister Choi assumed power. Because of the unrest resulting from Park's authoritarian rule, Choi promised democratic elections (the elections under Park were widely seen as rigged), as well as a new constitution to replace the highly authoritarian Yusin Constitution. Choi won an election in December that year to become the country's fourth president.
In December 1979, Major General Chun Doo-hwan and close allies within the military staged a coup d'état against Choi's government. They quickly removed the army chief of staff and virtually controlled the government by early 1980.
In April 1980, due to increasing pressure from Chun and other politicians, Choi appointed Chun as head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. In May, Chun declared martial law and did away with all trappings of civilian government, becoming the de facto ruler of the country. By then, student protests were escalating in Seoul and Gwangju. The protests in Gwangju continued, resulting in the Gwangju Massacre, where around 987 civilians were killed within five days by Chun's military.[2]
Choi resigned soon afterward. Chun became president on September 1, 1980. After his resignation, Choi lived quietly out of the public eye and died on October 22, 2006.
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- Gangneung choi clan
References
- ^ "`회고록 써 한 풀고 가셨으면 좋았을걸 …`". JoongAng Ilbo. 2006-10-28. http://article.joins.com/article/article.asp?total_id=2488649. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
- ^ Flashback: The Kwangju massacre. BBC News. May 17, 2000.
External links
- President Choi Kyu-ha
- Nils M. Solsvik Jr. (Oct 23, 2006). "Choi Kyu-hah". South Korean President. Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16302609. Retrieved Aug 19, 2011.
Political offices Preceded by
Park Chung-heePresident of South Korea
1979–1980Succeeded by
Chun Doo-hwanPreceded by
Kim Jong-pilPrime Minister of South Korea
1976–1979Succeeded by
Shin Hyun-hwakPresidents of South Korea (List) Syngman Rhee · Heo Jeong (acting) · Yun Bo-seon · Park Chung-hee · Choi Kyu-hah · Chun Doo-hwan · Roh Tae-woo · Kim Young-sam · Kim Dae-jung · Roh Moo-hyun · Goh Kun (acting) · Roh Moo-hyun · Lee Myung-bakPrime Ministers of South Korea (List) Lee B. · Shin S. · Chang M. · Heo · Yi · Chang T.S. · Baek D. · Baek D. · Byeon · Baek H. · post abolished, 1954-1960 · Heo · Chang M. · Chang D. · Song · Park C. · Kim H.C. · Choi D. · Chung I. · Baek D. · Kim J. · Choi K. · Choi K. · Shin H. · Park C.H. · Nam · Nam · Yoo · Yoo · Kim S.H. · Kim S.H. · Chin · Chin · Shin B. · Lho · Lho · Lee H.Key · Kim C. · Kim C. · Lee H.J. · Lee H.J. · Kang · Kang · Ro · Ro · Chung W. · Chung W. · Hyun · Hwang · Lee H.Chang · Lee Y. · Lee H.Koo · Lee S. · Go · Kim J. · Kim J. · Park T. · Lee H.D. · Lee H.D. · Chang S. · Chang D. · Kim S.S. · Kim S.S. · Go · Lee H.Chan · Han D. · Han M. · Kwon · Han D. · Han S. · Chung U. · Yoon · Kim H.S.Italics indicate acting Prime Ministers; small caps indicate military Prime MinistersCategories:- Prime Ministers of South Korea
- Presidents of South Korea
- People from Wonju
- 1919 births
- 2006 deaths
- Liberal Party (South Korea) politicians
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