Capital Seoul 1962–1979 Park Chung-hee 1964–1970 Chung Il-kwon | Languages Korean 1963–1964 Choi Tu-son | |
Government Republic under a military dictatorship | ||
The Third Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea from 1963 to 1972. It was presented as a return to civilian rule after a period of rule by the military junta known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction which in 1961 had overthrown the Second Republic of South Korea. However, throughout this period the presidency was held by Park Chung-hee, who is the father of Park Geun-hye (who has been president of South Korea since February 2013), who had also been an influential member of the junta. He left his military post in order to run as a civilian in the presidential election.
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Park ran again in the election of 1967, taking 51.4% of the vote.[1] At the time, the presidency was constitutionally limited to two terms, but a constitutional amendment was forced through the National Assembly in 1969 to allow him to seek a third term.[2] He was re-elected in the 1971 presidential election. The leading opposition candidate was Kim Dae-jung, who lost by a narrow margin.[3]
On December 6, 1971, Park declared a state of national emergency. On July 4, 1972, he announced plans for Korean reunification in a joint communique with North Korea. Park declared martial law on October 17, 1972, dissolving the National Assembly. He also announced plans to eliminate the popular election of the president.
The Third Republic of South Korea was replaced in 1972 by the Fourth Republic of South Korea under the Third Republic of South Korea's president Park Chung-hee.
Economy
The South Korean economy grew rapidly during the Third Republic. The South Korean government used the influx of foreign aid from Japan and the United States to provide loans to export businesses with no interest. It also provided financial support for industrial projects, such as the construction of the POSCO steel mill, which came online early in the Fourth Republic.
Education
The government introduced several reforms to the educational system. In 1968, the middle-school entrance examinations were abolished, placing all middle schools on an equal footing.[4]
Also in 1968, a Charter of National Education was adopted,[5] emphasizing nationalism and anti-communism in education. The charter outlined four goals for education: national revitalization, creating self-reliant individuals, promulgating a new cooperative image of the nation, and supporting anti-communism. [6]
Likewise, the government sought to reduce political activism among college students by increasing academic competition. The government allowed universities and colleges to recruit up to 130% of their graduation quotas, so that students would be forced to compete against one another in order to graduate. However, student activism continued at a reduced level despite these measures.
International relations
The Third Republic of South Korea began to take an increasingly prominent role in international relations. Relations with Japan were normalized in an agreement ratified on August 14, 1965.[7] The government continued its close ties with the United States, and continued to receive large amounts of foreign aid. A status of forces agreement was concluded in 1965, clarifying the legal situation of the U.S. forces stationed there.[8] Soon thereafter, South Korea entered the Vietnam War, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers to fight alongside the United States and South Vietnam.[9]