Fourth Republic of Korea

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South Korea

Official name	Fourth Republic of Korea
Common name	South Korea
Motto
Anthem
Flag
Coat of arms
Capital	Seoul
Largest city
Government	Unitary presidential republic under an authoritarian regime
Legislature

The Fourth Republic of Korea was the government of South Korea from 1972 to 1981, following the Third Republic and preceding the Fifth Republic. It was established under the Yushin Constitution, which granted the president sweeping powers and marked a period of authoritarian rule under President Park Chung-hee.

Establishment

The Fourth Republic was established on December 17, 1972, following the adoption of the Yushin Constitution. This constitution was designed to extend President Park Chung-hee's rule indefinitely and to suppress political opposition. The new constitution was approved through a national referendum, which was widely criticized for being manipulated.

Political Structure

Under the Yushin Constitution, the president had the authority to appoint one-third of the members of the National Assembly, dissolve the National Assembly, and issue emergency decrees. The president was also given a six-year term with no term limits, effectively allowing Park Chung-hee to remain in power indefinitely.

Key Events

• **1974:** The People's Revolutionary Party Incident led to the arrest and execution of several dissidents accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
• **1979:** President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by Kim Jae-gyu, the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), leading to a period of political instability.
• **1980:** General Chun Doo-hwan seized power through a military coup, leading to the establishment of the Fifth Republic of Korea in 1981.

Economy

During the Fourth Republic, South Korea experienced rapid economic growth, often referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River." The government implemented policies that promoted industrialization and export-oriented growth, leading to significant improvements in the standard of living.

Human Rights and Opposition

The Fourth Republic was marked by severe restrictions on political freedoms and human rights. The government frequently used the KCIA to suppress dissent, and many opposition leaders were imprisoned or executed. The Gwangju Uprising in 1980 was a significant event where government forces brutally suppressed a pro-democracy movement, resulting in numerous casualties.

Disestablishment

The Fourth Republic came to an end on March 3, 1981, when the Fifth Republic was established under President Chun Doo-hwan. The transition marked the end of the Yushin system and the beginning of a new phase in South Korean politics.

Related Pages

• Third Republic of Korea
• Fifth Republic of Korea
• Park Chung-hee
• Chun Doo-hwan
• Yushin Constitution
• Gwangju Uprising
• Korean Central Intelligence Agency