Lee Jae-myung began his term as the 21st President on June 4, 2025, without a formal transition period. Lee, from Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, is a graduate of Chung-Ang University and represented the progressive Democratic Party.
This event marks the welcoming of the 14th individual to hold the presidential office in South Korea. Let’s delve into the profiles of all the nation’s leaders, from the very first to the newly inaugurated.
Profiles of South Korean Presidents
1st–3rd President: Rhee Syng-man
- Region of Origin: Pyeongsan, Hwanghae Province (Moved to Seoul at age 2)
- Alma Mater: Princeton University (USA)
- Pre-presidency Career: Politician (Independence Activist)
- Age at Inauguration: 73
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: None
- Tenure: Approx. 11 years, 9 months (July 24, 1948 – April 27, 1960)
4th President: Yun Po-sun
- Region of Origin: Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province
- Alma Mater: University of Edinburgh (UK)
- Pre-presidency Career: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 63
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 2 sons, 2 daughters
- Tenure: Approx. 1 year, 7 months (August 13, 1960 – March 22, 1962)
5th–9th President: Park Chung-hee
- Region of Origin: Seonsan, North Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Korea Military Academy (formerly Joseon Gyeongbi Sagwanhakgyo)
- Pre-presidency Career: Military Officer
- Age at Inauguration: 46
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 1 son, 3 daughters
- Tenure: Approx. 15 years, 10 months (December 17, 1963 – October 26, 1979)
10th President: Choi Kyu-hah
- Region of Origin: Wonju, Gangwon Province
- Alma Mater: Datong Academy (China)
- Pre-presidency Career: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 60
- Party at Election: Opposition (Independent)
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 2 sons, 1 daughter
- Tenure: Approx. 8 months (December 21, 1979 – August 16, 1980)
11th–12th President: Chun Doo-hwan
- Region of Origin: Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Korea Military Academy
- Pre-presidency Career: Military Officer
- Age at Inauguration: 50
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 3 sons, 1 daughter
- Tenure: Approx. 7 years, 6 months (August 27, 1980 – February 24, 1988)
13th President: Roh Tae-woo
- Region of Origin: Dalseong, North Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Korea Military Academy
- Pre-presidency Career: Military Officer
- Age at Inauguration: 55
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 1 son, 1 daughter
- Tenure: 5 years (February 25, 1988 – February 24, 1993)
14th President: Kim Young-sam
- Region of Origin: Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Seoul National University
- Pre-presidency Career: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 64
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 2 sons, 3 daughters
- Tenure: 5 years (February 25, 1993 – February 24, 1998)
15th President: Kim Dae-jung
- Region of Origin: Sinan, South Jeolla Province
- Alma Mater: Mokpo Commercial High School
- Pre-presidency Career: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 74
- Party at Election: Opposition Party
- Political Leaning: Progressive
- Children at Inauguration: 3 sons, 1 daughter
- Tenure: 5 years (February 25, 1998 – February 24, 2003)
16th President: Roh Moo-hyun
- Region of Origin: Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Busan Commercial High School
- Pre-presidency Career: Lawyer
- Age at Inauguration: 57
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Progressive
- Children at Inauguration: 1 son, 1 daughter
- Tenure: 5 years (February 25, 2003 – February 24, 2008)
17th President: Lee Myung-bak
- Region of Origin: Born in Osaka, Japan; Raised in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Korea University
- Pre-presidency Career: Business Executive
- Age at Inauguration: 66
- Party at Election: Opposition Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: 1 son, 3 daughters
- Tenure: 5 years (February 25, 2008 – February 24, 2013)
18th President: Park Geun-hye
- Region of Origin: Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Sogang University
- Pre-presidency Career: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 61
- Party at Election: Ruling Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: None
- Tenure: Approx. 4 years, 1 month (February 25, 2013 – March 10, 2017)
19th President: Moon Jae-in
- Region of Origin: Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Kyung Hee University
- Pre-presidency Career: Lawyer
- Age at Inauguration: 64
- Party at Election: Opposition Party
- Political Leaning: Progressive
- Children at Inauguration: 1 son, 1 daughter
- Tenure: 5 years (May 10, 2017 – May 9, 2022)
20th President: Yoon Suk Yeol
- Region of Origin: Seongbuk District, Seoul
- Alma Mater: Seoul National University
- Pre-presidency Career: Prosecutor
- Age at Inauguration: 61
- Party at Election: Opposition Party
- Political Leaning: Conservative
- Children at Inauguration: None
- Tenure: Approx. 2 years, 11 months (May 10, 2022 – April 4, 2025)
21st President: Lee Jae-myung
- Region of Origin: Andong, North Gyeongsang Province
- Alma Mater: Chung-Ang University
- Pre-presidency Career: Lawyer
- Age at Inauguration: 61
- Party at Election: Opposition Party
- Political Leaning: Progressive
- Children at Inauguration: 2 sons
- Tenure: June 4, 2025 – Present
South Korean Presidents by the Numbers: An Analysis
Political Leanings and Power Transitions
Out of 14 presidents, only one, Park Geun-hye, has been a woman. The political landscape has been dominated by conservative leaders. Four presidents have hailed from the progressive wing: Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung.
Six presidents came to power as members of the opposition party: Choi Kyu-hah, Kim Dae-jung, Lee Myung-bak, Moon Jae-in, Yoon Suk Yeol, and Lee Jae-myung. With the exception of Choi (who was an independent), these five elections resulted in a transfer of power from the ruling party to the opposition. The other eight presidents were elected from the ruling party.
Geographic Origins: A Regional Breakdown
The Gyeongsang provinces have produced the most presidents. Nine of the 14 leaders hail from this region:
- North Gyeongsang Province (5): Park Chung-hee, Roh Tae-woo, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, Lee Jae-myung
- South Gyeongsang Province (4): Chun Doo-hwan, Kim Young-sam, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in
Other regions represented are:
- Hwanghae Province (North Korea): Rhee Syng-man (the only president from what is now North Korea)
- South Chungcheong Province: Yun Po-sun
- Gangwon Province: Choi Kyu-hah
- South Jeolla Province: Kim Dae-jung
- Seoul: Yoon Suk Yeol
Educational Backgrounds
The Korea Military Academy is the most common alma mater, with three presidents: Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan, and Roh Tae-woo. Seoul National University follows with two: Kim Young-sam and Yoon Suk Yeol.
Three presidents received their higher education abroad: Rhee Syng-man (Princeton University, USA), Yun Po-sun (University of Edinburgh, UK), and Choi Kyu-hah (Datong Academy, China).
Notably, two presidents were high school graduates: Kim Dae-jung (Mokpo Commercial High School) and Roh Moo-hyun (Busan Commercial High School).
Other universities represented by one president each are Korea University (Lee Myung-bak), Sogang University (Park Geun-hye), Kyung Hee University (Moon Jae-in), and Chung-Ang University (Lee Jae-myung).
Career Paths to the Presidency
- Politicians (6): The most common profession, including Rhee Syng-man, Yun Po-sun, Choi Kyu-hah, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, and Park Geun-hye.
- Military Officers (3): Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo.
- Lawyers (3): Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, Lee Jae-myung.
- Prosecutor (1): Yoon Suk Yeol.
- Business Executive (1): Lee Myung-bak.
Age at Inauguration
The presidents’ ages upon taking office span four decades:
- 40s: 1 (Park Chung-hee)
- 50s: 3 (Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Roh Moo-hyun)
- 60s: 8 (Yun Po-sun, Choi Kyu-hah, Kim Young-sam, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, Moon Jae-in, Yoon Suk Yeol, Lee Jae-myung)
- 70s: 2 (Rhee Syng-man, Kim Dae-jung)
Presidential Tenure
Excluding the incumbent, the longest-serving president was Park Chung-hee (approx. 15 years, 10 months), followed by Rhee Syng-man (approx. 11 years, 9 months), and Chun Doo-hwan (approx. 7 years, 6 months).
Six presidents completed their single, five-year term: Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, and Moon Jae-in.
The presidents with shorter tenures are Park Geun-hye (approx. 4 years, 1 month), Yoon Suk Yeol (approx. 2 years, 11 months), Yun Po-sun (approx. 1 year, 7 months), and Choi Kyu-hah (approx. 8 months).
The average tenure for the 13 presidents before Lee Jae-myung is approximately 5 years and 8 months.
Family Life: Children at Inauguration
Kim Young-sam had the most children at the start of his term, with two sons and three daughters. Several others had four children: Yun Po-sun (2 sons, 2 daughters), Park Chung-hee (1 son, 3 daughters), Chun Doo-hwan (3 sons, 1 daughter), Kim Dae-jung (3 sons, 1 daughter), and Lee Myung-bak (1 son, 3 daughters).
Presidents with no children at the time of their inauguration were Rhee Syng-man, Park Geun-hye (unmarried), and Yoon Suk Yeol.
