This Day in the Yesteryear: SYNGMAN RHEE, FIRST PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA, DIES IN EXILE (1965)

Syngman Rhee, First President of South Korea, Dies in Exile (1965)

Born in Korea shortly before it was occupied by Japan, Rhee was condemned to life in prison in 1897 for anti-Japanese activity. Amnestied and released in 1904, he went on to become the first Korean to earn a doctorate from a US university. In 1919, he was elected president of a provisional government in exile. Following WWII, he was elected the first president of Korea, with US backing. Ruling as an anti-Communist dictator, Rhee went to war against North Korea in 1950. Why did he resign in 1960? More… Discuss

 

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