Chun Doo-hwan
South Korean general and politician, 5th President of South Korea
Chun Doo-hwan Rank
About Chun Doo-hwan
Chun Doo-hwan was a South Korean army general who served as the 5th President of South Korea. His tenure lasted from 1980 to 1988.
Military Education and Career
Chun schooled at Daegu Vocational middle and high schools before proceeding to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Korea Military Academy in 1955. He travelled to learn guerilla and psychological warfare tactics in America. He consciously made friends with many influential people in school and at work.
He supported the Park-Chung-hee coup of May 16, 1961, earning him the post of secretary to the commander of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.
Chun rose through several positions in the military to become the commander of Security Command in 1979.
Ascension to Power
After the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in October 1979, Chun, as Commander of Security, was put in charge of investigation into the matter. He linked the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) to the assassination of the Korean leader.
With support from his Hanahoe club, Chun called for the arrest of Army chief of staff, Jeong Seung-hwa and KCIA director Kim Jae-kyu for the assassination, with no permit from the acting president, Choi. Following the crises that ensued after Jeong’s arrest, Chun managed to gain full control of the military. In effect, he became the de facto leader of South Korea.
Presidency and Policies.
In August 1980, Choi Kyu-hah resigned as acting president. With Chun as the only candidate, the electoral college of South Korea voted Chun into power. He won the elections by 2,524 votes out of 2,525 votes, with only one invalid vote cast. He was inaugurated as president the next month.
Among many policies, Chun banned tuition outside schools. He legislated that ex-convicts should not be immediately allowed into the society. He also passed the 3S Policy (Sex, Screen and Sports) and secured a $6 billion loan from Japan for the reconstruction of the economy.
He also founded the baseball and football teams ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He made the wearing of school uniforms voluntary.
Chun ruled as president for almost seven years. Following massive pro-democracy protests by South Koreans in June 1987, which came to be known as the June Democratic Struggle, Chun gave into demands of the protesters and allowed for elections to be held and the rolling of democratic reforms. Roh Tae-woo, an ally of Chun, won the presidential election on December 16, 1987, and Chu handed over power to him.
Personal Life and Death
The South Korean leader married Lee Soon-ja in 1958. The couple had four children. On November 23, 2021, Chun passed away, aged 90. He died of blood cancer.
No state funeral was given to Chun as he time as president of the country was seen as very brutal, especially his involvement in the Gwangyu Massacre which resulted in the deaths of several thousands of people. His tenure as president of South Korea was also marred by massive embezzlement, abuse of power, and corruption.
Chun Doo-hwan Rank
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F.A.Q. about Chun Doo-hwan
When is his birthday?
Chun Doo-hwan's birthday is on January 18, 1931.
In how many days is his birthday?
Chun Doo-hwan's birthday is in 72 days
How old is he?
He is 93 years old.
Where is Chun Doo-hwan from?
He was born in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang, Korea (now South Korea).