Syngman Rhee was the first Democratic president of the Republic of South Korea.  Born on April 26, 1875 in Whanghai Province, Korea, Rhee was from a family background of yangbans (Korean aristocracy).  Though grown up in a Confucius-based family which upheld traditional values, Rhee was shrewd and learned English, attended an American missionary school and learned the ways of the West.

Rhee became very active in politics, as he played a role in the Independence Club.  However, he was imprisoned in 1897 for his actions against the ruling class.  Later, in 1905, Rhee was released from prison.  He spent the years after in the US, where he acquired valuable education.  Upon his return, Rhee found Korea in the hands of the Japanese.  However, Rhee continued to voice his political opinions about the government, and thus had to flee once more.

When Rhee returned in 1945, Korea was already divided with the Soviet and US occupations.  With the help of the US, Rhee was elected president of South Korea in 1948.  During his rule, the Korean War (1950-1953) erupted, in which Rhee tried to combine the two regions.  However, this failed and Rhee returned to ruling the Southern portion of the peninsula.  Up until 1960, Rhee retained his authoritarian rule, until a student uprising led to his downfall.  Once again, he fled to the US in exile, where he stayed until his death on July 19, 1965.

   Syngman Rhee: CNN Profile

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