Roh Tae-woo

Roh Tae-woo was the sixth president of South Korea from 1988 to 1993. He was a close ally and friend of Chun Doo-hwan, who seized power through a military coup in 1979 after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Roh served as a cabinet minister and a ruling party chief under Chun, and was nominated as the presidential candidate in 1987. Facing massive pro-democracy protests, Roh announced a series of reforms, including the restoration of direct presidential elections, in what is known as the June 29 Declaration. He won the election later that year, becoming the first democratically elected president of South Korea. Roh's presidency was marked by his efforts to overcome the legacy of authoritarianism and to promote reconciliation and cooperation with the opposition parties, as well as with North Korea and other socialist countries. He also pursued economic development and social welfare policies, and hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. However, he also faced challenges from factional disputes within his ruling party, corruption scandals involving his aides and relatives, and the rise of labor and student movements. After his term ended, he was arrested and tried for his role in the 1979 coup and for receiving illegal political funds. He was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison, but was pardoned by President Kim Young-sam in 1997. He spent his later years in seclusion, suffering from various health problems. He died of asthma at the age of 88 in 2021.