Rhee SyungmanPresident Rhee's arbitrary executive power and the opposition against this tyranny were the hallmarks of the political history of the First and the Second Rupublic. One of his major goals was the suppression of leftist groups mostly supported by the North Korea. In June of 1950, North Koreans launched their full-scale military attack and almost succeeded in completely dismantling the ROK. After the North Korean forces were pushed back with US military help, Rhee employed National Security Law (NSL) largely to control the political system. He also kept the army in line by deliberately pitting various individuals and factons against each other. By late 1950s, Rhee had made the political system practically his own. Blatant manipulation of the 1960 elections had led to a nationwide protest that culminated in forced reisgnation on April of the same year.
|
History of Korea