The history of South Korea’s presidency has long been marked by scandal, corruption and attempts at reform. The military is never far away.

Assassination, prison sentences and military coups have all played a part in the political life of most of the country’s presidents in the post-WWII-era, with just a few of the 13 presidents to hold the post in that time leaving office alive, not under sentence of death or facing the possibility of arrest and prosecution. And two of those leaving office with their heads held high had previously been imprisoned or sentenced to death.

So, with Seoul and other major Korean cities in recent weeks rocked by protests that led to the impeachment and impending arrest of president number 13 - Yoon Suk Yeol - it looks just as much of a political gamble as ever for anyone looking to fill his shoes.

This is how South Korea’s 13 presidents, Yoon included, have fared in the past 77 years.

Syngman Rhee (1948–1960)

Syngman Rhee, South Korea's inaugural president, came to power as an anti-communist leader amid the Korean Peninsula’s division. His presidency lasted through the Korean War and the establishment of a capitalist South Korea. However, his rule became increasingly authoritarian, culminating in electoral fraud during his fourth term in 1960. Mass protests, known as the April Revolution, forced Rhee to resign and ultimately go into exile in Hawaii, where he lived until he died in 1965.

Yun Po-sun (1960–1962)

Yun Po-sun was a largely ceremonial figure as president during the brief experiment with parliamentary democracy following Rhee's resignation. Political infighting and instability defined his tenure. In 1961, a military coup led by General Park Chung Hee toppled the government and Yun was essentially overthrown. He did remain in office for another year to offer a semblance of stability before stepping down, marking the end of the Second Republic.

Park Chung Hee (1962–1979)

Park Chung Hee’s military-led government transitioned into an authoritarian regime with the establishment of the Third Republic. His leadership is credited with South Korea’s economic transformation, often referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River." However, his presidency was marked by repression, including the Yushin Constitution of 1972, which granted him near-absolute power. In 1979, Park was assassinated by his intelligence chief during a period of escalating dissent.

Choi Kyu-hah (1979–1980)

Choi Kyu-hah, who served as acting president after Park's assassination, was a caretaker leader during a time of political turmoil. His brief presidency ended after another military coup in 1980, forcing Choi to resign under pressure and paving the way for the Fifth Republic.

Chun Doo-hwan (1980–1988)

Chun Doo-hwan’s military-backed presidency was infamous for the violent suppression of dissent, most notably the Gwangju Uprising of 1980, in which hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed. Despite his authoritarian rule, Chun presided over a period of economic growth and initiated plans for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Facing mounting protests for democratic reforms, he stepped down in 1988. Later convicted of treason and corruption, he was sentenced to death, though the sentence was commuted and he was pardoned in 1997.

Roh Tae-woo (1988–1993)

Roh Tae-woo, Chun’s successor, oversaw South Korea’s transition to a more democratic system. His presidency saw a number of landmark events, including the 1988 Olympics and South Korea’s admission to the United Nations. However, his administration was later tainted by corruption charges, and in 1996, he was convicted alongside Chun, but like Chun, he was pardoned in 1997.

Kim Young-sam (1993–1998)

Kim Young-sam was the first civilian president in over three decades, heralding the start of the Sixth Republic. His tenure was subsequently marked by anti-corruption reforms and efforts to curb the power of the military. However, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis marred his presidency, leaving a mixed legacy. As president, he secured convictions against two of his predecessors.

Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003)

Kim Dae-jung, a pro-democracy activist and later Nobel Peace Prize laureate, became president during the financial crisis. His "Sunshine Policy" aimed to improve relations with North Korea and earned widespread international acclaim. Domestically though his administration struggled with economic difficulties, he is remembered as a symbol of South Korea’s democratic resilience.

Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008)

Roh Moo-hyun’s presidency focused on participatory democracy and anti-corruption measures. His progressive agenda faced opposition, and his administration was criticised for policy missteps in the deeply conservative country. Tragically, Roh took his own life in 2009 by jumping off a cliff when during a corruption investigation involving his family.

Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013)

Lee Myung-bak’s pro-business policies drove economic development but also sparked controversy over environmental projects and labour issues. After leaving office, Lee was arrested and later convicted of bribery, tax evasion and embezzlement in 2018 and sentenced to 17 years in prison, though he was pardoned in 2022.

Park Geun-hye (2013–2017)

Park Geun-hye, the daughter of the assassinated military dictator Park Chung Hee, became South Korea’s first female president. Her presidency ended in disgrace after a massive corruption scandal. She was soon after impeached and removed from office in 2017. Following a trial, she later received a 22-year prison sentence but was ultimately pardoned in 2021.

Moon Jae-in (2017–2022)

Moon Jae-in’s administration prioritised peace with North Korea and progressive policies. His tenure also saw historic summits with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un but mixed success in achieving lasting peace. Economic issues, particularly housing prices, dented his popularity by the end of his term but he is still regarded as one of South Korea’s most popular presidents in recent history. During the declaration of martial law by his successor (below) he famously tweeted "I hope that the National Assembly will act quickly to protect our democracy from crumbling." It did – and his successor is now a wanted man.

Yoon Suk Yeol (2022–present – currently impeached and avoiding arrest)

Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor, became president after a highly polarised election. His administration focused on economic recovery and strengthening ties with allies like the United States. Yoon’s presidency came to an abrupt end following a bizarre attempt to call for martial law in late 2024 and he is currently trying to avoid arrest somewhere in the South Korean capital.