이승만 李承晚
First President of the Republic of Korea
| Life | 1875 ~ 1965 |
| Era | 근현대 |
| Clan | 전주 이씨 |
Life & career
After being imprisoned for his activities in the Independence Club during the Korean Empire period, Yi Seung-man (Syngman Rhee) went to the United States and earned a doctorate from Princeton University. In 1919 he was elected the first president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, and he led the Korean Commission (Gumi Committee) and the Diplomatic Commission in Washington, carrying out the independence movement through diplomacy.
In 1948 he served as speaker of the Constitutional Assembly and was elected the first president of the Republic of Korea, serving until his third term. He pursued the Farmland Reform Act, the signing of the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953, and the proclamation of the Peace Line (Syngman Rhee Line).
He stepped down following the April 19 Revolution, which arose in protest of his prolonged rule and the fraudulent March 15, 1960 election, and died in exile in Hawaii.
Grave
Seoul National Cemetery