Park Chung-hee

(1917-1979)
Born September 30, 1917 in Daegu, south-east of Korea. He studied in high school in Daegu, he taught in rural schools. In 1940 became a cadet officers' school, graduated from military academy in Japan.
After liberation from the Japanese in 1945-1946 went to the newly created Korean Military Academy. By the end of the war in Korea, held the rank of Brigadier General. After training in the United States in 1954, commanded several South Korean divisions. In 1961 he was appointed deputy commander of the 2 nd Army.

After the coup May 16, 1961 Pak became the first deputy chairman and then chairman of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction. In 1963, Park resigned from the army and his candidature for presidential elections, which won with a minimum margin. Winning election in 1967, 1971, 1972 and 1978. Changing the constitution adopted by referendum in 1969, Paku allowed to run for the highest office a third time. The Constitution of 1972 provided an opportunity for re-election an unlimited number of times.

In foreign policy, Park sought to strengthen the alliance with the United States, the development of friendly relations with third countries, the USSR and China. Less successful were his efforts to improve relations with North Korea.

In 1974 and 1975, Park entered a state of emergency. In 1974, on the President was assassinated, which led to the death of his wife. In 1979 in South Korea once again rioting. Park was assassinated in his own office of the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Korea October 26, 1979.