Second Republic of South Korea

Republic of Korea
대한민국
大韓民國

1960–1961
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem
애국가
Aegukga
South Korea in green
Capital Seoul
Languages Korean
Government Parliamentary republic
President Yun Po Sun
Prime Minister
  1960 Heo Jeong
  19601961 Chang Myon
Legislature National Assembly
Historical era Cold War
   Established 19 April 1960
   Coup d'état 16 May 1961
Currency Hwan (19531962)
Part of a series on the
History of South Korea
USAMGIK 194548
First Republic 194860
 : Korean War 195053
 : Syngman Rhee Administration 194860
 : April Revolution 1960
 : Heo Jeong Caretaker Government 1960
Second Republic 196061
 : Jang Myeon Cabinet 196061
 : May 16 coup 1961
Constitutional Vacuum 196163
 : Yoon Bo-seon Administration 196162
 : First Junta 196163
Third Republic 196372
 : Park Chung-hee Administration 196372
 : Self-coup of Park Chung-hee 1972
Fourth Republic 197281
 : Assassination of Park Chung-hee 1979
 : Coup d'état of December Twelfth 1979
 : Coup d'état of May Seventeenth 1980
 : Gwangju Uprising 1980
 : Second Junta 198081
Fifth Republic 198187
 : Chun Doo-hwan Administration 198187
 : June Democratic Uprising 1987
 : Grand Labor Struggle 1987
Sixth Republic 1987present
 : Roh Tae-woo Administration 198793
 : Kim Young-sam Administration 199398
 : National Moratorium 19972001
 : Kim Dae-jung Administration 19982003
 : Roh Moo-hyun Administration 20032008
 : Lee Myung-bak Administration 20082013
 : Park Geun-hye Administration 2013present
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The Second Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea for eight months in 1960 and 1961. It succeeded the First Republic, and was followed by a military government under the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction. It was the only government under a parliamentary system in the history of Korea.

Establishment

Proclamation of the Second Republic of Korea. From right: Chang Myon (Prime Minister), Yun Bo-seon (President), Paik Nak-jun (President of the House of Councillors) and Kwak Sang-hoon (President of the Chamber of Deputies).

The First Republic was overthrown by widespread protests known as the "April Revolution" in April 1960. After its fall, power was briefly held by an interim administration under Heo Jeong. A new parliamentary election was held on 29 July 1960. The Democratic Party, which had been in the opposition during the First Republic, easily gained power and the Second Republic was established.

The Second Republic operated under a parliamentary system. This was the first and the only instance South Korea turned to a cabinet system instead of a presidential system. The legislature was bicameral, with the National Assembly as the lower house and the House of Councilors as the upper house. The president was elected by both houses of the legislature and served as head of state. Due to the numerous abuses of power by South Korea's first president, Syngman Rhee, the president's role was greatly reduced by the new constitution, to a point almost entirely ceremonial. Real power rested with the prime minister and cabinet, who were elected by the National Assembly. Yun Po Sun was elected as the President on 13 August 1960. The prime minister and head of government was Chang Myon.

Politics

The Second Republic saw the end of the severe curbs on political expression that had been in place under the Rhee regime. As a result, freedom returned, and with it came an increase in political activity. Much of this activity was from leftist and student groups, which had been instrumental in the overthrow of the First Republic. Union membership and activity grew rapidly during the later months of 1960. Around 2,000 demonstrations were held during the eight months of the Second Republic.

Under pressure from the left, the Chang government carried out a series of purges of military and police officials who had been involved in anti-democratic activities or corruption. A Special Law to this effect was passed on 31 October 1960. 40,000 people were placed under investigation; of these, more than 2,200 government officials and 4,000 police officers were purged. In addition, the government considered reducing the size of the army by 100,000, although this plan was shelved.

Economy

In economic terms as well, the government was faced with mounting instability. The government formulated a five-year economic plan, although it was unable to act on it prior to being overthrown. The Second Republic saw the won lose half of its value against the dollar between fall 1960 and spring 1961. Unemployment and wholesale prices also rose during this period.

Notes

  1. ^ Yonhap (2004, p. 270).
  2. ^ Yang (1999, p. 196); Nam (1996, pp. 410–412); Yonhap (2004, p. 270).
  3. ^ Yang (1999, p. 196). Nam (1996, p. 412) gives "2,000."
  4. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 411).
  5. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 411).
  6. ^ Nahm, loc. cit.
  7. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 412); Yonhap (2004, pp. 270–271).
  8. ^ Nahm (1996, p. 412).

References

Coordinates: 37°35′N 127°0′E / 37.583°N 127.000°E / 37.583; 127.000

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