Syngman Rhee

Syngman Rhee (1875–1965) was an independence activist during the Japanese colonial period and the first president of the Republic of Korea. He served as the first president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, led the founding of the South Korean government in 1948, and held office as president from the first through the third terms. The Korean War took place during his presidency, and after a prolonged tenure in power he stepped down following the April 19 Revolution of 1960.