Park Chung Hee's presidency from 1963 to 1979 played a central role in South Korea's modernization and economic growth after colonial rule and wartime destruction from Korea. However, his authoritarian rule was marked by numerous human rights violations and political oppression. The postwar period in Korea was characterized by economic disorganization and stagnation caused by the separation of the Korean economy from the Japanese economy and the partition of Korea. Korea became dependent on foreign aid. Added to this is uncontrolled hyperinflation before and after liberation. The Korean War had devastating effects on Korea. By the end of the war, the number of Koreans dead, wounded or missing approached three million and war damages amounted to millions of dollars. Immediately after the war, South Korea's per capita income was only 67 US dollars. Park Chung Hee was born on November 14, 1917 in South Korea. He joined the Korean army after World War II. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a respected figure in the military. The Second Republic, South Korea's government in 1960 and 1961, made exhausting efforts to initiate reforms, but it could not cope with the instability caused by violent political changes. Dissatisfied, Park Chung Hee led a military coup that overthrew the Second Republic on May 16, 1961. Park became the leader of the military junta that came to power, known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction (SCNR). seized power, dissolved the National Assembly (South Korea's legislature), banned all political activity, and strictly controlled the press. The country was placed under martial law and a series of reforms were instituted. The Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) was established by the S...... middle of paper ......grew up. A coup led by Chun Doo Hwan overthrew the Fourth Republic and ultimately dissolved the Yushin Constitution. Park's eldest daughter, Park Geun Hye, is the current president of South Korea and Korea's first female president. She has often been criticized for being "the daughter of a dictator", but she is considered one of the most influential political figures in Korea. Today, South Korea is a rich and developed country whose economy ranks 12th in the world and has entered the trillion-dollar club of global economies. From the GDP per capita of $67 after the Korean War, it rose to over $30,000. Although Park's regime degenerated into a paranoid dictatorship in the 1970s, it had a huge impact on South Korea's economy and population. The memory of Park is very polarized. Whether he was a brutal dictator or a revolutionary leader is still debated..