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PARK CHUNG HEE

INTRODUCTION

1. Park Chung Hee was the single most significant individual in South Korean politics

throughout the twentieth century. From 1961 until 1979, He came to power through a military

coup in 1961 and ruled the country as an authoritarian leader for nearly two decades. He then

governed the Republic of Korea, guiding the country through a period of fast economic

expansion and reshaping South Korean society. During his presidency,, he is acclaimed with

initiating South Korea's economic miracle with his encouragement of Korean businesses. Park

implemented a series of economic reforms known as the "Miracle on the Han River," which led

to significant economic growth and industrialization in South Korea and effective use of millions

of dollars in foreign aid. At the same time, Park left a very controversial legacy as a result of his

autocratic style of governance. This paper will explore Park Chung Hee's accomplishments and

how the events may serve as a model for Malaysia, particularly the Malaysian Armed Forces

(MAF).

AIM

2. This paper aims to analyse the accomplishments that shaped Park Chung Hee's legacy,

which successfully shifted South Korea from an impoverished agrarian economy into a thriving

industrialized nation. The methodology he uses to mitigate his challenges is to improve the

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nation's economic and security stability. Through extensive analyses, this paper will advocate a

suggestion on the way forward for Malaysia based on how it still impacts South Korea today.

REVIEW OF BACKGROUND

3. Early Life. Park Chung Hee was born on November 14 th, 1917 in Seonsan, a remote

town in Gumi, in present-day North Gyeongsang near Daegu. He was the seventh kid in a low-

income household. He was ambitious and ready to embrace any opportunity that arose when

South Korea was still under Japanese colonial control. Park was admitted to Gyeongseong

Imperial University where he studied engineering via a competitive test in 1932 and graduated in

1937. Park attended a teacher's college and worked briefly as an elementary school teacher

before opting to join the military. His formative years occurred during the Japanese invasion of

China, which began with the Manchurian Incident in 1931 and culminated in an all-out war in

1937. He afterwards taught for several years in Mungyeong. 

4. Military Career In Manchukuo. Park was selected into a two-year training programme

in Manchukuo, Manchuria's Japanese puppet state. Under the Japanese policy of sōshi-kaimei, he

was compelled to adopt the Japanese name Masao Takagi, alongside all Koreans. In 1942, he

graduated at the top of his class from the Japanese Manchurian Military Academy. His abilities

as an officer were quickly recognised, and he was one of the few Koreans allowed to continue

his training as a Warrant Officer of the Imperial Japanese Army at the Imperial Military

Academy in Tokyo for another two years. After graduating in 1944, Park joined the Kantogun,

an Imperial Japanese Army unit, and was promoted to lieutenant in the Japanese Manchukuo

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Imperial Army before the Pacific War ended in 1945. He was afterwards sent to a Japanese

Army unit in Manchuria, where he remained until Japan's capitulation at the conclusion of World

War II.

5. Military Career Returning To Korea. In the aftermath of Japan's defeat in World War

II, under his elder brother's influence, Park, considered a revolutionary and charismatic leader by

his peers, joined a communist group, the South Korean Labor Party, in the American occupation

zone, which later became South Korea. Park was involved in a conspiracy to remove

President Syngman Rhee. In early 1949, Park was arrested, convicted of treason, and sentenced

to life in prison, but his sentence was commuted by Rhee on the strong recommendation of his

American military adviser, James Hausman. Park was released soon after revealing the names of

communist participants to the South Korean authorities. However, the outbreak of the Korean

War enabled him to be reinstated, and he served the new nation fighting against the communists.

6. Park returned to South Korea when it was still under American occupation. He was one

of the first members of the constabulary, an indigenous military force supervised by the U.S.

Army Military Government in Korea. Park’s political orientation during this period was unclear,

however. He was known to be close to some Korean Worker’s Party members who had

infiltrated the constabulary. In 1948, Park was nearly executed after an attempted mutiny in the

organization led to a purge of leftists from its ranks. The future president’s superior officers

pleaded with the Rhee government to spare his life on the basis of his strong potential as a

military officer.

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7. Park proved his potential and loyalty to the ROK during the Korean War. After the war

began he was reinstated as an active service officer in the South Korean Army and gradually rose

in its ranks. By the time the war ended Park had been appointed a brigadier general and earned a

reputation as one of the most promising young officers in the army.

8. Like some of the other young officers in the ROK Army during the 1950s, Park felt some

measure of frustration with civilian rule. Syngman Rhee, who dominated South Korean politics

until 1960, was an aging autocrat whose corrupt government did little to raise living standards or

improve the South Korean economy. Chang Myon, who became prime minister in 1960 after a

student-led uprising led to Rhee’s ouster, had difficulty controlling the forces that had put him in

power. Disorder prevailed and the ROK’s economic situation did not improve.

9. Military Career Rise To Power. Frustrated with the prevailing situation in South Korea,

Park conspired with other military officers to form a junta, which came to be known as the

Military Revolutionary Committee, and began planning a coup.

10. The first of these phases was marked by the SCNR’s rapid consolidation of power and

sweeping political and economic reforms. In November 1961, Park Chung Hee visited the

United States and was successful in reassuring the Kennedy administration that he was

committed to containing communism, developing the economy, and, eventually, holding free

elections. By the time Park ran for the presidency in 1963, he had already created three key

institutions that would be the backbone of his tenure in power: the Economic Planning Board

(EPB), which Park entrusted with setting a course for Korea’s economic development; the

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Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), which Park used to intimidate and control his

opposition; and the Democratic Republican Party (DRP), which Park used to fill the government

with his allies and manage electoral politics.

PRESIDENCY

11. After Park triumphed in the 1963 presidential election, he began taking a variety of

unpopular but necessary measures to promote rapid economic development. These included:

normalizing relations with Korea’s former colonizer Japan in 1965, raising interest rates, and

improving tax collection. Under Park’s leadership, South Korea developed an export driven

model of economic growth wherein special incentives were provided to large business

conglomerates (the chaebŏl) in the form of preferential loans to manufacture goods for sale

abroad. South Korea’s economy began to take off regularly achieving double-digit growth rates

by the mid 1960s.

12. During the late 1960s, Park began to move toward greater authoritarianism. There were

several reasons for this: North Korea’s growing adventurism, fear that the United States would

reduce its security commitment to South Korea under the Nixon Doctrine, the need to suppress

labor while promoting rapid industrialization, and the growing popularity of Park’s political

opponents, especially Kim Dae Jung. In 1972, Park suspended the constitution, dissolved the

National Assembly, and made himself president for life. He used his new powers to brutally

punish dissenters while pushing the economy into heavy industry. During this period, South

Korea moved toward economic maturity, beginning to manufacture steel, ships, automobiles and

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other electronics. Despite the achievements of Park’s economic statecraft, by the late 1970s

South Korea was racked by growing protests against his authoritarianism.

13. It was in the midst of violent protests against the Yusin system that Park was assassinated

in October 1979. By the end of the month, massive demonstrations had spread across the

southeastern cities of Pusan and Masan. In a meeting with KCIA Director, Kim Chaegyu, an

argument broke out between Kim and Park with Park criticizing the KCIA for not doing enough

to end the demonstrations. Frustrated with the criticism, Kim fired a pistol at Park and his

bodyguard Cha Jichŏl, killing both.

14. Park’s legacy is a complicated one. In South Korea, the left has remained critical of the

former president arguing that the Yusin system and the repressive nature of his government

significantly impeded democratization. Yet Park continues to be admired by many South

Koreans for his role in creating the “Miracle on the Han" so much so that his daughter, Park

Geun Hye, launched a highly successful political career and was elected the ROK’s first female

president, in part by drawing on her father’s enduring reputation for being the man who pulled

South Korea out of poverty.

DISCUSSION

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MILITARY STYLE AND QUALITY

15. Visionary. Park dexterously brought the United States and Japan into a transnational

coalition in support of his program of economic growth and military build-up in 1965 by

normalizing relations with Japan and dispatching combat troops to South Vietnam. Park Chung

Hee implemented a series of five-year economic plans aimed at boosting economic growth and

modernizing the South Korean economy. The five-year plans were a key element of Park's

economic development strategy and were implemented from 1962 to 1987.

a. First Five-Year Plan (1962-1966). The first five-year plan focused on rebuilding

the South Korean economy after the Korean War, and was aimed at increasing production

and exports, improving infrastructure, and attracting foreign investment.

b. Second Five-Year Plan (1967-1971). The second five-year plan emphasized the

development of heavy industries, including steel, shipbuilding, and electronics, as well as

the promotion of exports and the expansion of the country's infrastructure.

c. Third Five-Year Plan (1972-1976). The third five-year plan focused on the

development of new industries, such as petrochemicals and automobiles, and the further

expansion of the country's infrastructure.

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d. Fourth Five-Year Plan (1977-1981). The fourth five-year plan focused on the

development of high-tech industries, such as computers and telecommunications, and the

promotion of exports and foreign investment.

e. Fifth Five-Year Plan (1982-1987). The fifth five-year plan emphasized the

development of new industries, such as biotechnology and software, and the promotion of

high-tech exports.

16. These policies, combined with close ties with the United States, favourable trade policies,

and an increase in foreign investment, helped to spur rapid economic growth in South Korea

during Park's presidency, known as the "Miracle on the Han River." Despite its successes, Park's

rule was marked by human rights abuses, political repression, and corruption, and remains a

controversial period in South Korean history.

17. Autocratic. Park Chung Hee carried military coup d'etat in May 1961, bringing into his

ruling until 1979. General Park created Democratic-Republican Party (DRP), designed to serve

as a transition from military to civilian rule. Park Chung Hee’s domestic policy was

characterized by authoritarian rule, a focus on economic growth, and the suppression of political

opposition. Some key elements of his domestic policy include:

a. Authoritarianism. Park ruled South Korea as an authoritarian leader, suppressing

political opposition and restricting civil liberties. He imposed martial law in 1972,

dissolved the National Assembly, and imposed censorship on the media and universities.

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b. Economic Growth. Park placed a strong emphasis on promoting economic

growth and modernizing the South Korean economy. He implemented policies aimed at

boosting exports, attracting foreign investment, and developing key industries such as

steel, shipbuilding, and electronics.

c. Agricultural Reform. Park implemented reforms aimed at improving the

efficiency of the country's agricultural sector, including the distribution of land to

farmers.

d. Industrial Development. Park encouraged the development of heavy industries

such as steel, shipbuilding, and electronics, with the goal of increasing exports and

boosting the country's economic growth.

e. Education Reform. Park implemented education reforms aimed at improving the

quality of education and preparing students for the needs of the modern economy.

f. National Security. Park emphasized national security and worked to strengthen

the South Korean military, including the establishment of a conscript army, the

development of strategic industries, and the expansion of the country's defense

capabilities.

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18. Tranformational. The main Park Chung Hee’s plan to grow South Korea economy after

the Korean War and how the society accept his idea. Park Chung Hee implemented several

policies aimed at modernizing and industrializing the South Korean economy during his

presidency. Some of these policies include:

a. Export-Oriented Industrialisation. Park’s government focused on developing

heavy industries such as steel, shipbuilding, and electronics, with the goal of increasing

export and boosting the country’s economic growth.

b. Strategic Industries Plan. Park implemented a plan to prioritize the development

of strategic industries, such as petrochemicals, electronics, and machinery, that were

deemed essential for South Korea’s economic growth and competitiveness.

c. Agricultural Reform. Park implemented reforms aimed at improving the

efficiency of the country’s agricultural sector, including the distribution of land to

farmers and the establishment of rural cooperatives.

d. Bureaucratic Reform. Park streamlined the bureaucracy to make it more

efficient and responsive to the need of business and industry.

e. Tax Reform. Park implemented tax reforms aimed at increasing the

government’s revenue and encouraging foreign investment.

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f. Small and Medium Enterprises . Park encouraged the development of small and

medium-sized enterprises by providing financial and technical support.

FUNDAMENTAL OF MILITARY PRINCIPLE

19. Be Decisive. Talented officer and selected for service with the Imperial Japanese Army’s

elite Kwantung Army group during World War II – 1953. The Yushin Constitution was a

constitutional amendment in South Korea that was introduced by President Park Chung-Hee in

1972. The amendment fundamentally altered the structure of the South Korean government,

granting sweeping powers to the president and centralizing political authority in the executive

branch.

20. The Yushin Constitution was characterized by the elimination of the democratic process

and the establishment of a presidential dictatorship, with the president given the power to appoint

and dismiss elected officials, to control the judiciary, and to rule by decree. The amendment also

abolished term limits for the president, allowing Park to remain in power indefinitely.

21. The Yushin Constitution was met with widespread opposition from pro-democracy

activists and civil rights groups, who accused the government of suppressing political dissent and

violating human rights. Nevertheless, the amendment remained in place for over a decade, until

Park's assassination in 1979 and the eventual restoration of democratic government in South

Korea in the 1980s.

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22. Aggressive and Bold. Onset of the Korean War, promoted to rank of colonel in the

Army Headquarters Intelligence Bureau as its deputy director - 1953, followed by Chief of Staff

of First Republic’s army with the rank of major general - 1958. Over the Park’s legacy, he had

build up Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) which is became a powerful intelligence

agency in South Korea during the presidency of Park Chung-Hee. The agency was created in

1961, soon after Park came to power, and was widely regarded as a tool of the government for

suppressing political dissent and maintaining control over the population.

23. Under Park's rule, the KCIA was notorious for its use of surveillance, torture, and

extrajudicial killings to suppress opposition to the government. The agency's powers were

greatly expanded by the Yushin Constitution of 1972, which granted the president the authority

to control the KCIA and use it for his own purposes.

24. The KCIA was involved in a number of high-profile political events and incidents during

Park's presidency, including the suppression of student protests, the assassination of political

opponents, and the torture of political prisoners. The agency was also known for its use of

propaganda and disinformation to control the media and shape public opinion.

25. In the aftermath of Park's assassination in 1979, the KCIA was officially dissolved and

replaced by the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Despite its controversial legacy, the KCIA

remains an important part of South Korean history, and is widely recognized as a symbol of the

repression and human rights abuses.

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26. Park Chung Hee final years in office were marked by increasing political opposition and

public discontent, as well as mounting economic difficulties and corruption scandals. In 1979,

Park was assassinated by his own intelligence chief, Kim Jae-Gyu, in a failed coup attempt.

27. The assassination of Park led to a period of political uncertainty and instability in South

Korea, with widespread protests and demonstrations calling for democratic reforms. In the

aftermath of Park's death, the military government of Chun Doo-Hwan came to power, but faced

growing opposition from the pro-democracy movement, leading to the Gwangju Uprising in

1980.

28. Despite his controversial legacy, Park's presidency had a profound impact on South

Korea, modernizing and transforming the country's economy, while also suppressing political

opposition and violating human rights. Today, he is remembered as a controversial figure in

South Korean history, with some viewing him as a strong leader who brought economic growth

and modernization to the country, while others view him as a dictatorial figure who oppressed

political opposition and violated human rights.

29. Moral Courage. Created the “Military Revolutionary Committee” to organize a coup -

1961. A coup, or a violent takeover of a government by military or other armed forces, can have

both short-term and long-term effects, both positive and negative.

30. Advantages of a coup can include the removal of an unpopular or ineffective government,

the establishment of a new government that may bring about political and economic reforms, and

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the restoration of order and stability after a period of chaos or unrest. In some cases, a coup can

also be seen as a way of protecting national security or preventing the spread of extremism.

31. However, the disadvantages of a coup can be significant and far-reaching. A coup can

lead to a loss of political stability, increased violence and conflict, and a decline in the rule of

law. It can also lead to human rights violations, including the suppression of dissent and the use

of torture and extrajudicial killings. In addition, a coup can undermine democratic institutions

and set back the cause of democracy and human rights, making it more difficult for a country to

transition to a more stable and democratic form of government in the future.

32. Furthermore, coups can have serious economic consequences, as they can disrupt trade,

investment, and other economic activities, leading to economic instability and a decline in

economic growth. Additionally, coups can also damage a country's international reputation and

lead to isolation and sanctions from the international community, which can further harm the

economy and the well-being of the population.

33. Foster Teamwork. Elected as a Chairman in a reformist council “Supreme Council for

National Reconstruction” constituting of military officers who had backed the coup d’etat –

1961. Park’s committee seized power on 16 May 1961 and shortly thereafter announced the

formation of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction (SCNR), of which Park was the

chairman. Park would remain in control of South Korean politics until 1979. His tenure in power

can generally be divided into three phases. During the first phase, which lasted until 1963, Park

governed through the SCNR. Under pressure from the United States, Park allowed a presidential

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election in 1963 in which he managed to narrowly defeat his opponent. Between 1963 and 1972,

Park governed South Korea through a government that was formally democratic but limited

dissent and participation. In 1972, however, Park suddenly decided to abandon democratic

institutions, abolished the South Korean constitution and announced the establishment of Yusin a

new system of harsh, authoritarian rule.

34. Resoluteness. Seek an interest the origin of the Korean militarization from the late

colonial periods and pertained ideological element to modernize militarization. Park Chung Hee's

foreign policy was distinguished by a focus on upholding close ties with the United States as

well as initiatives to support South Korea's national security and economic development. His

foreign policy's main tenets include:

a. U.S.-South Korea Alliance. Park placed a lot of emphasis on this alliance and

strove to improve South Korea's political, military, and economic connections with the

U.S. This involved putting together a combined military command and sending American

troops to South Korea. 

b. Cold War Neutrality. Park aimed to uphold a neutral attitude during the Cold

War by balancing the interests of the United States and China and staying out of

regional conflicts.

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c. Promoting Economic Growth. Park prioritised the expansion of the South

Korean economy through trade, foreign investment, and exports, and he promoted

measures that would modernise and industrialise the country's economy.

d. National Security. Park placed a strong emphasis on national security and strove

to bolster the South Korean military through the creation of a conscript army, the growth

of vital industries, and the improvement of the nation's military prowess.

e. Japan Relations. Park tried to strengthen ties with Japan, negotiating a

cooperative security agreement and establishing a joint economic council to encourage

trade and investment between the two nations.

35. The political and security environment of the era, which included the fear of North

Korean aggression, the strain of the Cold War, and the necessity to support South Korea's

economic growth and stability, all influenced Park's foreign policy. Despite its accomplishments,

his tenure was tainted by corruption, political persecution, and violations of human rights, and it

is still seen as a contentious time in South Korean history.

BELLIGERENT LEADERSHIP

36. Dictatorial. Being a belligerent by conspired with other military officers to form a junta,

which came to be known as the Military Revolutionary Committee, and began planning a coup

before seized the power during 1961 in South Korea. To realize Park's vision of building a

nation, he launched multiple plans to reform society by forcing the society to live independently.

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The "Saemaul Undong" or "New Village Movement" was a rural development program initiated

by Park Chung Hee government in South Korea in the 1970s. The program aimed to improve the

living standards of rural populations, promote economic development in rural areas, and increase

agricultural productivity.

37. The core principles of the “Saemaul Undong” movement included hard work, self-

reliance, and community cooperation. Park's government encouraged rural communities to work

together to improve their own lives, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and

shared responsibility.

38. The “Saemaul Undong” movement involved a wide range of initiatives, including the

construction of roads and bridges, the development of irrigation systems, the promotion of

cooperative farming, and the establishment of rural credit unions. The movement also

encouraged rural communities to take an active role in the development process, with local

residents taking part in decision-making and planning.

39. The “Saemaul Undong” movement was largely successful in boosting economic growth

and improving the living standards of rural populations. Rural communities were able to develop

new industries and expand existing ones, increasing their incomes and improving their standard

of living. The movement also helped to break down traditional social structures and promote a

more democratic and equitable society, by empowering local communities and encouraging

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citizen participation. “Saemaul Undong” movement remains an important aspect of South

Korean history, and is widely credited with playing a key role in the country's rapid economic

development and modernization.

40. Despite its successes, the “Saemaul Undong” movement was also criticized for

promoting a homogenized, top-down development model, and for neglecting the needs of

marginalized and vulnerable populations. His rule remains a controversial period in South

Korean history.

41. Progressive. In the 1970s, as part of his progressive plans for modernizing and

developing the country's transportation network, Park had develop the Seoul-Busan Highway,

also known as the Seoul-Busan Expressway, is a major highway in South Korea that connects the

capital city of Seoul to the southern port city of Busan. The highway was one of the major

infrastructure projects initiated by the government of President Park Chung-

42. The Seoul-Busan Highway was completed in 1970 and became the first expressway in

South Korea, offering faster and more convenient travel between the two major cities. The

highway was seen as a symbol of the country's rapid economic development and modernization

and helped to spur further economic growth by facilitating the movement of goods and people

between the two cities.

43. The Seoul-Busan Highway remains one of the busiest and most important highways in

South Korea and is widely regarded as a key component of the country's transportation

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infrastructure. The highway has undergone several upgrades and expansions over the years,

including the addition of new lanes and the construction of parallel highways, to accommodate

growing traffic and meet the demands of modern transportation.

44. Overall, the Seoul-Busan Highway is an important part of South Korean history and is

widely recognized as a symbol of the progressive economic development programs initiated by

President Park Chung Hee during his presidency.

CONCLUSION

45. Park Chung Hee was the single most significant individual in South Korean politics

throughout the twentieth century. From 1961 until 1979, He came to power through a military

coup in 1961 and ruled the country as an authoritarian leader for nearly two decades. He then

governed the Republic of Korea, guiding the country through a period of fast economic

expansion and reshaping South Korean society. In conclusion, Park Chung Hee's had

accomplishments military quality in driving the nation and the methodology he uses to mitigate

his challenges is to improve the nation's economic and security stability.

RECOMMENDATION

46. In Malaysia, as in any other country, it is important to respect the rule of law and adhere

to democratic principles. This includes ensuring that elections are free, fair, and transparent, and

that the government is accountable to the people through a system of checks and balances. By

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working together in a constructive and respectful manner, it is possible for political leaders and

citizens to address challenges and promote the well-being of the country and its people.

(4039 Words)

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