The Unfortunate Presidents of South Korea

It is not out of far-right ideology or conservatism that I hold deep respect for President Syngman Rhee.

Without him, South Korea could not have been established as a democratic republic just three years after liberation. It was his leadership that prevented the North’s invasion from engulfing the entire peninsula in communism less than two years into the nation's founding. He also secured the (seemingly improbable) South Korea-U.S. alliance, which has kept the country as the last stronghold of East Asia and now positions it as a critical counterbalance against China.

Equally deserving of admiration is President Park Chung-hee, whom I deeply respect and take great pride in.

Thanks to his courage, drive, decisiveness, patriotism, and foresight, South Korea transformed from one of the world’s poorest nations into a top-10 global power. This is an undeniable fact, regardless of what critics may say. Park not only achieved rapid economic growth but also reshaped a lethargic and indolent people into one of the most diligent and hardworking nations in the world.

I also held great respect for President Chun Doo-hwan.

After Park’s assassination, South Korea faced an inevitable power vacuum, which would have plunged the country into chaos as factions vied for control. In this volatile situation, the military coup actually stabilized the nation more swiftly than any alternative. More importantly, during Chun’s presidency, South Korea experienced an era of rapid economic growth, with annual GDP growth rates hovering around 10%, making life much more prosperous.

• "How could you support a brutal dictatorship?"

That so-called military dictatorship—what exactly did it do to students who diligently studied, to employees who worked hard and supported their families?

• "A president should be elected by the people, not chosen in a gymnasium by a show of hands!"

Must a democracy always require direct elections? Were we even ready for democracy at the time? Even 40 years later, our elections are still marred by allegations of fraud.

I entered university in 1982, making me part of the so-called 386 Generation. I was well aware of the democratic fervor of the time and the realities of student activism.

However, I also witnessed firsthand how certain forces manipulated and controlled the democracy movement. That is why I feel no sense of guilt or indebtedness for not having participated in it.

Because I do not believe democracy was achieved through protests, agitation, or violence alone.

The Shift in South Korea’s Political Landscape

President Roh Tae-woo became the nation’s leader largely thanks to the company he kept. He called himself an "ordinary person," but in truth, he was more like a "watered-down president"—a passive figure compared to the three formidable leaders before him.

South Korea’s constitutional structure makes it inevitable that a president will face impeachment if they do not secure a parliamentary majority. Every past president understood this, striving to create a ruling-party-dominated legislature.

It was for this reason that Roh Tae-woo orchestrated the merger of three political parties, bringing in Kim Young-sam.

Kim Young-sam (YS), in turn, leveraged this alliance to claim the presidency.

I was convinced that YS should never have become president. He had never held a real job, never earned a living through hard work, yet had spent decades as a political godfather, surrounded by his loyal followers. How did he finance it all?

Logically, without massive political donations, such a career would have been impossible. Most of his funding likely came from wealthy upstarts seeking political entry and corporations eager to curry favor.

It was obvious that if he became president, he would repay these benefactors through appointments and policies.

And indeed, that is exactly what happened.

Furthermore, as an act of revenge against past military rule, YS dismantled the military faction "Hanahoe", turning the armed forces into a bureaucracy of career officers focused on promotion rather than national defense. He also wrecked the economy, leading to the 1997 IMF crisis.

Still, at least YS was not openly pro-North Korea. However, he opened the political gates for those who were.

South Korea’s deep ideological divide began in earnest during Kim Dae-jung(DJ)’s presidency.

While North Korea was ramping up its nuclear weapons program, DJ championed his "Sunshine Policy", secretly sending Pyongyang $450 million in cash and $50 million in goods.

Today, such an act would be considered treasonous, leading to immediate impeachment and imprisonment. Yet back then, the courts ruled that the transfers were part of a "high-level political decision" beyond legal reproach.

Only lower-level officials involved in the transactions were convicted, and even they were released with suspended sentences.

• "But what about Park Ji-won? He served time for this!"

Not exactly. Park Ji-won, the former minister known for orchestrating the transfers, was convicted not for funding the North but for taking a 15-billion-won bribe from Hyundai. His original 12-year sentence was overturned on appeal, though he ultimately served three years for accepting a separate 100-million-won bribe from Kumho.

And what of Chung Mong-hun, the Hyundai chairman caught in this scandal? He fell from a tiny office window to his death—his case permanently dismissed.

That $450 million transfer had been a government-pressured bank loan that Hyundai was expected to repay.

The Legacy of South Korea’s Left-Wing Presidents

What legacy did Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in leave behind?

Why did DJ hold secret car conversations with Kim Jong-il? Why did Moon hand Kim Jong-un a USB drive on the footbridge of Panmunjom?

How much insight did Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye gain into the secrets hidden by these leftist administrations?

Did they truly not understand the depth of pro-North and pro-China forces embedded in the government, judiciary, military, police, intelligence agencies, media, labor unions, civic groups, and academia?

Did they know but remain silent out of helplessness?

To her credit, President Park Geun-hye disbanded the Unified Progressive Party, a pro-North organization. But that was all. And for that, she was impeached in a disgraceful political maneuver—perhaps the ultimate proof of South Korea’s imperial presidency trap.

The Misfortune of South Korea’s Presidents

South Korean leaders have met unfortunate fates:

• President Syngman Rhee died in exile,
• President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by his own chief of security,
• President Chun Doo-hwan was betrayed by his closest friend, sentenced to death,
• President Roh Tae-woo, after exiling Chun, was imprisoned himself,
• President Lee Myung-bak was sentenced to 17 years in prison,
• President Park Geun-hye was impeached and jailed for years,
• And now, President Yoon Suk-yeol, facing impeachment, is imprisoned while awaiting trial—in a process riddled with legal manipulations.

Meanwhile, leftist leaders have fared far better:

• YS and DJ lived long and died peacefully,
• Moon Jae-in, despite facing bribery investigations, lives freely, publishing books praising Kim Jong-un.

Only "Fool Roh Moo-hyun" met a tragic end—choosing death over disgrace.

What’s at Stake Now?

Many South Koreans support President Yoon Suk-yeol not just for who he is, but for what he has revealed:

He has exposed the pro-North, pro-China networks infiltrating South Korea. He has unveiled the extent of judicial and governmental corruption.

By walking into prison of his own volition, he has signaled his determination to fight until the end.

The people do not want this epic struggle to end in tragedy. They want justice, victory, and a brighter democratic future.

If "they" win, today may be remembered as the brightest day before Korea’s long decline.

Thus, with the spring winds, let victory bloom.