Park Chung-hee's Coup and South Korea's Developmental State
On May 16, 1961, General Park Chung-hee led a military coup overthrowing South Korea's unstable second republic, beginning 18 years of authoritarian rule. Park's government pursued a state-directed industrial strategy — the 'developmental state' model — channelling resources through Chaebol conglomerates (Samsung, Hyundai, LG) and Five-Year Plans to transform South Korea from a desperately poor country with a GDP per capita below Ghana's into an industrializing economy. The 'Miracle on the Han River' produced GDP growth averaging 9-10 percent annually for two decades. This economic transformation came at a severe political cost. Park's Yushin ('Revitalizing') constitution of 1972 eliminated direct presidential elections and made him effectively president for life. Labour organizers, students, and opposition politicians were arrested and tortured by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. Park normalized relations with Japan in 1965 (deeply unpopular) and deployed Korean troops to Vietnam in exchange for US military and financial support. He was assassinated on October 26, 1979, shot by his own KCIA director. His legacy remains contested: credited by some for South Korea's modernization, condemned by others for the democratic rights sacrificed to achieve it.
- Year: 1961 CE
- Category: Political
