From exile, assassination to imprisonment

(CLO) The recently arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol has become the latest name in a long list of South Korean leaders who have encountered major changes in their political careers.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested on Wednesday, after being impeached and fighting for weeks over charges related to declaring martial law last month.

The events have added to the recent political turmoil in South Korea. While these developments are historic, they are just another chapter in the country’s tumultuous presidential saga.

Since World War II, most South Korean presidents have faced serious accusations, not only against themselves but also against family members. Many have been impeached, prosecuted, imprisoned, and even assassinated. Only a handful, like former President Moon Jae-in, have left office peacefully.

Here is a list of South Korean presidents who have experienced major upheavals in the past:

President Syngman Rhee lives in exile in Hawaii

Syngman Rhee, the first President of South Korea, took office in 1948 and was ousted in 1960, following allegations of election fraud and a collapse in his popularity.

South Korean presidential team from exile to assassination attempt to death row 1 — Mr. Lee Seung-man (right) and US General Douglas MacArthur at the inauguration ceremony of the former South Korean Government. Photo: CC/Wiki

Although he was praised for his leadership during the Korean War and for appointing the country's first woman to the cabinet, he was criticized by his opponents. After resigning, he lived in exile in Hawaii until his death in 1965.

President Park Chung-hee was assassinated.

Former President Park Chung-hee came to power in a coup in 1961, taking advantage of the chaos that followed the resignation of President Syngman Rhee. He held power until 1979, when he was assassinated by a close adviser.

South Korean presidential team from exile to assassination attempt to death 2 — State funeral of Park Chung-hee. Photo: CC/KDF

Former President Park created the "Miracle on the Han River" when she transformed South Korea from post-war poverty into a major economy, thanks to policies supporting corporations like Samsung and Hyundai, encouraging exports and developing infrastructure.

Mr. Park was assassinated by the head of the KCIA, the intelligence agency he created. He has since been both praised and criticized, with some seeing him as a symbol of strong leadership, despite his somewhat authoritarian methods.

Two consecutive presidents jailed

Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, two former army generals, seized power in a coup in 1979 after the assassination of Park Chung-hee, leading to a bloody uprising in Gwangju in 1980 that left hundreds of people dead. Chun became president in 1981, and Roh succeeded him after the 1987 election.

South Korean presidential team from exile to assassination attempt to death 3 — Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo at their trial in Seoul in 1996. Photo: GI

After leaving office, both were convicted of rebellion, corruption, bribery and human rights violations. Chun was sentenced to death and Roh to 22.5 years in prison in 1996. However, Kim Dae-jung pardoned both after he was elected president in 1997.

President Roh Moo-hyun commits suicide after being investigated for bribery

Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun committed suicide in May 2009 while being investigated for bribery, despite having left the Blue House and living a quiet life in his home country.

South Korean presidential team from exile to assassination attempt to death 4 — Funeral of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in May 2009. (Photo: GI)

Before becoming president, Mr. Roh was a prominent human rights lawyer, defending students persecuted by the dictatorship in the 1980s. After his death, he was seen as a symbol of justice and political balance, with his life being portrayed in the film "The Attorney" (2013).

President Park Geun-hye convicted of corruption

Park Geun-hye, South Korea's first female president and daughter of Park Chung-hee, was impeached in 2016 and arrested in 2017 on charges of corruption and abuse of power. Mass protests, such as the "Candlelight Movement," took place before her ouster.