history of kuk sool won:
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This final chapter looks at the division of Korea into North and South. We see how South Korea emerged from conflict and chaos, to what has been described as “Korea: Man-Made Miracle”* , and how North Korea turned into a totalitarian communist state. This modern era was also a pivotal time for the Korean martial arts, as we see the emergence of many new styles and organisations that are destined to spread all over the world. |
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SOUTH KOREA The birth of modern South Korea began when death and destruction ended with the signing of the armistice at PANMUNJOM in July 1953. Early post Korean war Korea saw a country struggling to come to terms, not only with the decimation of its land and people, but also the division of its country into North and South. One commentator observed that: |
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“Rubble, shells of factories, large empty holes where buildings once stood, mangled railroad locomotives, all overlaid with dirt and dust oppress a visitor... the future of Korea cannot, with fairness, be pictured in any rosy hues… life for Koreans will be difficult” ** |
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South Korea’s economy all but collapsed as the decade of the 1950s came to an end. SYNGMAN RHEE was South Korean President from 1948 – 1960, whereupon he was forced to resign, due to accusations of electoral manipulation. This heralded the end of the First Republic. The Second Republic lasted only a matter of nine months, 1960 – 1961, when the government of Prime Minister CHANG MYAN was overthrown by a military coup. |
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The early 1960s painted a similar, bleak economic picture. There were many leading commentators suggesting that South Korea was in need, not just of a miracle, but “a series of economic miracles” + to survive as a viable nation. |
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In 1961, a powerful Major General, named PARK CHUNG HEE, who had the support of the military, staged a successful coup and ruled by decree until October 1963, when he was narrowly elected as President. This narrow victory was because he was widely mistrusted by a large part of the democratically minded electorate and by many of the students who traditionally had always held a certain influence over events. |
 Figure 30: President Park Chung Hee with former US President Jimmy Carter |
Thus began the Third Republic, 1963 – 1972, which saw a revival of the Korean nation and the beginnings of the first economic miracle. Through a series of economic reforms, as well as treaties with Japan for economic aid in exchange for cancelling demands for war reparations, and involvement with the USA during the Vietnam War, all led to a rapid industrial and export growth. |
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In 1971, President PARK declared a state of martial law and in October 1972 - with the introduction of the YUSHIN (revitalising-reform) constitution – gave himself the possibility of remaining as President indefinitely. This was closely followed by several measures restricting civil liberties. It was also at this time that the National Conference for Unification ++ came into existence. |
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Thereby began the Fourth Republic from 1972 – 1981. It was during this time that the first South Korean economic miracle was to begin to flourish. However, although President PARK presided over a nation that had literally risen from the ashes, continued dissatisfaction with his dictatorial rule increased. |
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In 1979, demonstrations in two major cities, Pusan and Masan, were violently suppressed. It was during these troubles that in October 1979, KIM JAE KYU, the then director of the Korean CIA, assassinated President PARK. There followed a period of uncertainty under the new President, CHOI KYO HAH. |
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* Jon Waronoff: Korea’s Economy: Man-Made Miracle. |
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