Third Republic

The Third Republic of South Korea was established in 1963, with Park Chung-Hee as president. This period followed a military coup and marked a significant phase in South Korea's development. Park's presidency, which lasted until his assassination in 1979, is associated with rapid economic growth, often referred to as the "miracle on the Han River." However, this economic progress was accompanied by authoritarian rule, suppression of political dissent, and limitations on democratic freedoms. The Third Republic saw constitutional amendments that allowed Park to extend his presidency, and his government utilized state institutions like the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) to maintain control. Despite the economic achievements, the era was characterized by a tension between development and democracy.12