First Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea
대한민국
大韓民國
1948–1960
Anthem: 애국가
"Aegukga" (1948)

"Aegukga" (1948–1960)
National Seal (1949–1960)
CapitalSeoul (1948–1950, 1952–1960)
Busan (1950–1952)
Common languagesKorean
Religion
Christianity, Confucianism, Buddhism, Korean Shamanism, Cheondoism
GovernmentUnitary presidential republic under an authoritarian dictatorship
President 
• 1948–1960
Syngman Rhee
Prime Minister 
• 1948–1950
Lee Beom-seok
• 1950 (acting)
Shin Song-mo
• 1950–1952
Chang Myon
• 1952 (acting)
Yi Yun-yong
• 1952
Chang Taek-sang
• 1952–1954
Paik Too-chin
• 1954
Pyon Yong-tae
Vice President 
• 1948–1951
Yi Si-yeong
• 1951–1952
Kim Seong-su
• 1952–1956
Ham Tae-young
• 1956–1960
Chang Myon
LegislatureNational Assembly
Historical eraCold War
• Proclamation of the Republic of Korea
15 August 1948
25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953
19 April 1960
CurrencyWon (1945–1953)
Hwan (1953–1962)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
United States Army Military Government in Korea
Second Republic of Korea
Today part ofNorth Korea
South Korea
As Korean Republic
First Republic of Korea
South Korean President Syngman Rhee bestowing a medal on a U.S. Navy admiral
Korean name
Hangul
제1공화국
Hanja
第一共和國
Revised RomanizationJeil Gonghwaguk
McCune–ReischauerCheil Konghwaguk
Establishment of the first republic

The First Republic of Korea (Korean제1공화국; RRJeil Gonghwaguk; lit. "First Republic") was the government of South Korea from August 1948 to April 1960. The first republic was founded on 15 August 1948 after the transfer from the United States Army Military Government that governed South Korea since the end of Japanese rule in 1945, becoming the first independent republican government in Korea. Syngman Rhee became the first president of South Korea following the May 1948 general election, and the National Assembly in Seoul promulgated South Korea's first constitution in July, establishing a presidential system of government.

The first republic claimed sovereignty over all of Korea but only controlled Korea south of the 38th parallel until the end of the Korean War in 1953, when the border was modified. The first republic was characterized by Rhee's authoritarianism and corruption, limited economic development, strong anti-communism, and by the late 1950s growing political instability and public opposition to Rhee. The April Revolution in April 1960 led to Rhee's resignation and the transition to the second Republic of Korea.


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