Park Chung-hee
Biography
Park Chung-Hee was a South Korean politician and army officer who seized power in 1961 and served as president from 1962 until his assassination in 1979. His regime oversaw intense economic growth, transforming South Korea into one of the country's most consequential leaders in history. A firm anti-communist, he maintained close ties with the US and supported American military involvement in Southeast Asia. He implemented economic reforms that led to rapid growth.