As of June 3, 2025, Lee Jae-myung has been elected as the 21st President of South Korea. Due to the impeachment of his predecessor, this was a by-election, and President Lee assumed office the very next day on June 4, 2025, without a formal transition. A member of the Democratic Party with progressive political views, President Lee was born in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and graduated from Chung-Ang University with a law degree. He formerly worked as a lawyer.
With the inauguration of Lee Jae-myung, South Korea now has had 14 individuals serve as president. Here’s a detailed overview of each president’s background, political affiliation, term length, and more:
List of South Korean Presidents (1st to 21st)
1st–3rd President: Syngman Rhee
- Birthplace: Pyongsan, Hwanghae Province (now North Korea)
- Education: Princeton University, USA
- Profession: Politician / Independence Activist
- Age at Inauguration: 73
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: None
- Term: ~11 years, 9 months (1948.07.24 – 1960.04.27)
4th President: Yun Bo-seon
- Birthplace: Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do
- Education: University of Edinburgh, UK
- Profession: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 63
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 2 sons, 2 daughters
- Term: ~1 year, 7 months (1960.08.13 – 1962.03.22)
5th–9th President: Park Chung-hee
- Birthplace: Seonsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Education: Korea Military Academy
- Profession: Military Officer
- Age at Inauguration: 46
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 1 son, 3 daughters
- Term: ~15 years, 10 months (1963.12.17 – 1979.10.26)
10th President: Choi Kyu-hah
- Birthplace: Wonju, Gangwon-do
- Education: Datong School, China
- Profession: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 60
- Party: Independent (Opposition)
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 2 sons, 1 daughter
- Term: ~8 months (1979.12.21 – 1980.08.16)
11th–12th President: Chun Doo-hwan
- Birthplace: Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Education: Korea Military Academy
- Profession: Military Officer
- Age at Inauguration: 50
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 3 sons, 1 daughter
- Term: ~7 years, 6 months (1980.08.27 – 1988.02.24)
13th President: Roh Tae-woo
- Birthplace: Dalseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Education: Korea Military Academy
- Profession: Military Officer
- Age at Inauguration: 55
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 1 son, 1 daughter
- Term: 5 years (1988.02.25 – 1993.02.24)
14th President: Kim Young-sam
- Birthplace: Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Education: Seoul National University
- Profession: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 64
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 2 sons, 3 daughters
- Term: 5 years (1993.02.25 – 1998.02.24)
15th President: Kim Dae-jung
- Birthplace: Sinan, Jeollanam-do
- Education: Mokpo Commercial High School
- Profession: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 74
- Party: Opposition
- Ideology: Progressive
- Children: 3 sons, 1 daughter
- Term: 5 years (1998.02.25 – 2003.02.24)
16th President: Roh Moo-hyun
- Birthplace: Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Education: Busan Commercial High School
- Profession: Lawyer
- Age at Inauguration: 57
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Progressive
- Children: 1 son, 1 daughter
- Term: 5 years (2003.02.25 – 2008.02.24)
17th President: Lee Myung-bak
- Birthplace: Osaka, Japan / Raised in Pohang, Gyeongbuk
- Education: Korea University
- Profession: Business Executive
- Age at Inauguration: 66
- Party: Opposition
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: 1 son, 3 daughters
- Term: 5 years (2008.02.25 – 2013.02.24)
18th President: Park Geun-hye
- Birthplace: Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Education: Sogang University
- Profession: Politician
- Age at Inauguration: 61
- Party: Ruling Party
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: None
- Term: ~4 years, 1 month (2013.02.25 – 2017.03.10)
19th President: Moon Jae-in
- Birthplace: Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Education: Kyung Hee University
- Profession: Lawyer
- Age at Inauguration: 64
- Party: Opposition
- Ideology: Progressive
- Children: 1 son, 1 daughter
- Term: 5 years (2017.05.10 – 2022.05.09)
20th President: Yoon Suk-yeol
- Birthplace: Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
- Education: Seoul National University
- Profession: Prosecutor
- Age at Inauguration: 61
- Party: Opposition
- Ideology: Conservative
- Children: None
- Term: ~2 years, 11 months (2022.05.10 – 2025.04.04)
21st President: Lee Jae-myung
- Birthplace: Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Education: Chung-Ang University
- Profession: Lawyer
- Age at Inauguration: 61
- Party: Opposition
- Ideology: Progressive
- Children: 2 sons
- Term: Began June 4, 2025
Presidential Statistics & Insights
Political Ideology
- Progressive Presidents: Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, Lee Jae-myung (4)
- Conservative Presidents: All others (10)
Political Transition
- Opposition Wins (Regime Change): Kim Dae-jung, Lee Myung-bak, Moon Jae-in, Yoon Suk-yeol, Lee Jae-myung
- Only Independent President: Choi Kyu-hah
Regional Origins
- Gyeongsang Region: 9 Presidents (including Lee Jae-myung, Park Geun-hye, etc.)
- Others: 1 each from Hwanghae, Chungcheong, Gangwon, Jeolla, and Seoul
Education Background
- Most Common: Korea Military Academy (3), Seoul National University (2)
- Foreign Educated: Rhee (USA), Yun (UK), Choi (China)
- High School Graduates: Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun
Professions Before Presidency
- Politicians: 6
- Military Officers: 3
- Lawyers: 3
- Others: 1 Business Executive (Lee My
