Syngman Rhee

About

First president of South Korea who served three terms from 1948 to 1960. He notably guided his country through perilous Cold War years.

Before Fame

He campaigned for Korean independence from Japanese rule in the relative safety of Hawaii, and was supported in leading South Korea because of his familiarity to international leaders.

Trivia

As president, he allowed himself almost dictatorial powers, and defied even the United Nations during the Korean War; by his third term he grew unpopular and was exiled.

Family Life

He was born in Hwanghae Province, Kingdom of Korea.

Associated With

He was well known to President Theodore Roosevelt from the early 1900s, when he campaigned to have the U.S. intervene to protect his country's sovereignty.