List of Prime Ministers of South Korea
Encyclopedia
- To avoid confusion, all the names on this list follow the Eastern order convention (family name first, given name second) for consistency.
The following is a list of the prime minister
Prime Minister of South Korea
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea is appointed by the President with the National Assembly's approval. Unlike prime ministers in the parliamentary system, the Prime Minister of South Korea is not required to be a member of parliament....
s of South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
from the First Republic
First Republic of South Korea
The First Republic of South Korea was South Korea's first independent government, ruling the country from 1948 to 1960. It succeeded USAMGIK, the United States military government, which ruled the area from 1945 to 1948. The First Republic was established on August 15, 1948, with Syngman Rhee as...
to the Sixth Republic
Sixth Republic of South Korea
The Sixth Republic of South Korea is the country's present-day government. It began in 1987, with the transfer of power from the authoritarian Fifth Republic of Chun Doo-hwan....
.
The first column consecutively numbers the individuals who have served as Prime Minister, while the second column consecutively numbers the Prime Ministerial terms or administrations.
List of Prime Ministers of South Korea
| I# | A# | Hangul | Hanja | Romaja | Term of office | Days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Ministers of the First Republic First Republic of South Korea The First Republic of South Korea was South Korea's first independent government, ruling the country from 1948 to 1960. It succeeded USAMGIK, the United States military government, which ruled the area from 1945 to 1948. The First Republic was established on August 15, 1948, with Syngman Rhee as... |
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| Rhee Syng-man Administration | |||||||
| 1 | 1 | 이범석 | 李範奭 | Yi Pom-sok I Beomseok |
1 August 1948 |
21 April 1950 |
|
| — | — | 신성모 | 申性模 | Shin Song-mo Shin Sung-mo Shin Sung-mo was an acting prime minister in 1950 following the first prime minister of South Korea, Lee Beom-seok. He served as a Defence Minister during the Korean War.-References:... (acting) Sin Seongmo |
21 April 1950 |
23 November 1950 |
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| 2 | 2 | 장면 | 張勉 | Chang Myon (John M. Chang) Chang Myon Chang Myon , or John Myun Chang, was a South Korean politician and educator. He was the Vice President of the First Republic and the Prime Minister of the Second Republic... Jang Myeon |
23 November 1950 |
24 April 1952 |
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| — | — | 허정 | 許政 | Ho Chong Heo Jeong Heo Jeong was a Korean politician and independence activist. Heo was the sixth prime minister of South Korea during the Second Republic. He was also an acting prime minister during the First Republic... (acting) Heo Jeong |
6 November 1951 |
9 April 1952 |
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| — | — | 이윤영 | 李允荣 | Yi Yun-yong Yi Yun-yong Yi Yun-yong was a South Korean politician. He was the acting prime minister of South Korea following Chang Myon.-References:... (acting) I Yunyeong |
24 April 1952 |
6 May 1952 |
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| 3 | 3 | 장택상 | 張澤相 | Chang Taek-sang Jang Taek-sang Jang Taek-sang was a South Korean politician. He was the third prime minister of South Korea.Jang held this position during the Korean War. He attended Edinburgh University in the U.K. earlier in his life. Jang became head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade from August 15 - December 24,... Jang Taegsang |
6 May 1952 |
6 October 1952 |
|
| — | — | 백두진 | 白斗鎮 | Paik Too-chin Baek Du-jin Baek Du-jin was a South Korean politician. He was an acting prime minister before he became the fourth, and later the tenth, prime minister of South Korea.-References:... (acting) Baek Dujin |
9 October 1952 |
24 April 1953 |
|
| 4 | 4 | 백두진 | 白斗鎮 | Paik Too-chin Baek Du-jin Baek Du-jin was a South Korean politician. He was an acting prime minister before he became the fourth, and later the tenth, prime minister of South Korea.-References:... Baek Dujin |
24 April 1953 |
17 June 1954 |
|
| 5 | 5 | 변영태 | 卞荣泰 | Pyon Yong-tae Byeon Yeongtae |
28 June 1954 |
28 November 1954 |
|
| — | — | 백한성 | 白漢成 | Paek Han-song (acting) Baek Hanseong |
28 November 1954 |
28 November 1954 |
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| post abolished (28 November 1954 - 27 April 1960) | |||||||
| Prime Ministers of the Second Republic Second Republic of South Korea The Second Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea for eight months in 1960 and 1961. It succeeded the First Republic, but was followed by a military government under the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.-Establishment:... |
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| post restored | |||||||
| Yun Bo-seon Yun Bo-seon Yun Bo-seon was a Korean former independence activist and politician, and the President of South Korea from 1960 to 1962. Studying in the UK, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh and gained an M.A., After returning home in 1932... Administration | |||||||
| — | — | 허정 | 許政 | Ho Chong Heo Jeong Heo Jeong was a Korean politician and independence activist. Heo was the sixth prime minister of South Korea during the Second Republic. He was also an acting prime minister during the First Republic... (acting) Heo Jeong |
27 April 1960 |
15 June 1960 |
|
| 6 | 6 | 허정 | 許政 | Ho Chong Heo Jeong Heo Jeong was a Korean politician and independence activist. Heo was the sixth prime minister of South Korea during the Second Republic. He was also an acting prime minister during the First Republic... Heo Jeong |
15 June 1960 |
18 August 1960 |
|
| 7 | 장면 | 張勉 | Chang Myon (John M. Chang) Chang Myon Chang Myon , or John Myun Chang, was a South Korean politician and educator. He was the Vice President of the First Republic and the Prime Minister of the Second Republic... (2nd Term) Jang Myeon |
18 August 1960 |
18 May 1961 |
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| post abolished (18 May 1961 - 17 December 1963) | |||||||
| Chief Cabinet Ministers (Military Rule during the Second Republic Second Republic of South Korea The Second Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea for eight months in 1960 and 1961. It succeeded the First Republic, but was followed by a military government under the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.-Establishment:... ) |
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| post restored | |||||||
| Yun Bo-seon Yun Bo-seon Yun Bo-seon was a Korean former independence activist and politician, and the President of South Korea from 1960 to 1962. Studying in the UK, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh and gained an M.A., After returning home in 1932... (de jure) & Park Chung-hee Park Chung-hee Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth... (de facto) Administration | |||||||
| — | — | 장도영 | 張都暎 | Jang Do-young Jang Doyeong |
21 May 1961 |
3 July 1961 |
|
| — | — | 송요찬 | 宋堯讚 | Song Yo-chan Song Yo Chan Song Yo Chan was prime minister of South Korea from 3 July 1961 to 16 June 1962. Previously, he had been the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 22 July 1961 - 10 October 1961 and was a Lieutenant General. He ordered the arrest of corrupt officers in the army... Song Yochan |
3 July 1961 |
16 June 1962 |
|
| — | — | 박정희 | 朴正熙 | Park Chung-hee Bak Jeonghui |
18 June 1962 |
10 July 1962 |
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| — | — | 김현철 | 金顯哲 | Kim Hyun-chul Gim Hyeoncheol |
10 July 1962 |
17 December 1963 |
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| Prime Ministers of the Third Republic Third Republic of South Korea The Third Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea from 1963 to 1972. It was presented as a return to civilian rule after a period of rule by the military junta known as the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction which had overthrown the Second Republic of South Korea in 1961... |
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| Park Chung-hee Park Chung-hee Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth... Administration | |||||||
| 7 | 8 | 최두선 | 崔斗善 | Choi Tu-son Choe Duseon |
17 December 1963 |
10 May 1964 |
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| 8 | 9 | 정일권 | 丁一权 | Chung Il-kwon Chung Il Kwon General Chung Il-kwon was a South Korean general during the Korean War. He led the South Korean forces for much of the war, including the important UN battle of Inchon in 1950. Later, he served as South Korea's Prime Minister and as the South Korean ambassador to the United States.... Jeong Ilgweon |
10 May 1964 |
20 December 1970 |
|
| 10 | 백두진 | 白斗鎮 | Paik Too-chin Baek Du-jin Baek Du-jin was a South Korean politician. He was an acting prime minister before he became the fourth, and later the tenth, prime minister of South Korea.-References:... (2nd Term) Baek Dujin |
20 December 1970 |
4 June 1971 |
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| 9 | 11 | 김종필 | 金鍾泌 | Kim Jong-pil Gim Jongpil |
4 June 1971 |
19 December 1975 |
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| Prime Ministers of the Fourth Republic Fourth Republic of South Korea The Fourth Republic was the government of South Korea between 1972 and 1981, regulated by the Yushin Constitution adopted in October 1972 and confirmed in a referendum on 21 November 1972. From 1972 to 1979, power was monopolized by Park Chung Hee and his Democratic Republican Party under the... |
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| Park Chung-hee Park Chung-hee Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth... Administration | |||||||
| — | — | 최규하 | 崔圭夏 | Choi Kyu-hah (acting) Choe Gyuha |
19 December 1975 |
13 March 1976 |
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| 10 | 12 | 최규하 | 崔圭夏 | Choi Kyu-hah Choe Gyuha |
13 March 1976 |
6 December 1979 |
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| Choi Kyu-hah Administration | |||||||
| 11 | 13 | 신현확 | 申铉确 | Shin Hyun-hwak Sin Hyeonhwak |
12 December 1979 |
22 May 1980 |
|
| Chun Doo-hwan Chun Doo-hwan Chun Doo-hwan was a ROK Army general and the President of South Korea from 1980 to 1988. Chun was sentenced to death in 1996 for his heavy-handed response to the Gwangju Democratization Movement, but later pardoned by President Kim Young-sam with the advice of then President-elect Kim Dae-jung,... Administration | |||||||
| — | — | 박충훈 | 朴忠勋 | Pak Choong-hoon (acting) Bak Chunghun |
22 May 1980 |
2 September 1980 |
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| — | — | 남덕우 | 南德祐 | Nam Duck-woo (acting) Nam Deogu |
2 September 1980 |
22 September 1980 |
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| 12 | 14 | 남덕우 | 南德祐 | Nam Duck-woo Nam Deogu |
22 September 1980 |
4 January 1982 |
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| Prime Ministers of the Fifth Republic Fifth Republic of South Korea The Fifth Republic of South Korea was the government of South Korea from 1979 to 1987, replacing the Fourth Republic of South Korea. Throughout this period, the government was controlled by Chun Doo-hwan, a military colleague of the assassinated president Park Chung-hee. This period saw extensive... |
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| Chun Doo-hwan Chun Doo-hwan Chun Doo-hwan was a ROK Army general and the President of South Korea from 1980 to 1988. Chun was sentenced to death in 1996 for his heavy-handed response to the Gwangju Democratization Movement, but later pardoned by President Kim Young-sam with the advice of then President-elect Kim Dae-jung,... Administration | |||||||
| — | — | 유창순 | 劉彰順 | Yoo Chang-soon (acting) Yu Changsun |
4 January 1982 |
23 January 1982 |
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| 13 | 15 | 유창순 | 劉彰順 | Yoo Chang-soon Yu Changsun |
23 January 1982 |
24 June 1982 |
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| — | — | 김상협 | 金相浹 | Kim Sang-hyup (acting) Gim Sanghyeob |
25 January 1982 |
20 September 1982 |
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| 14 | 16 | 김상협 | 金相浹 | Kim Sang-hyup Gim Sanghyeob |
21 September 1982 |
14 October 1983 |
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| — | — | 진의종 | 陳懿鍾 | Chin Iee-chong (acting) Jin Uijong |
15 October 1983 |
17 October 1983 |
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| 15 | 17 | 진의종 | 陳懿鍾 | Chin Iee-chong Jin Uijong |
17 October 1983 |
11 November 1984 |
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| — | — | 신병현 | 申秉鉉 | Sin Byeong-hyeon (acting) Sin Byeonghyeon |
11 November 1984 |
18 February 1985 |
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| — | — | 노신영 | 盧信永 | Lho Shin-yong (acting) No Sinyeong |
18 February 1985 |
16 May 1985 |
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| 16 | 18 | 노신영 | 盧信永 | Lho Shin-yong No Sinyeong |
16 May 1985 |
26 May 1987 |
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| — | — | 이한기 | 李漢基 | Lee Han-key (acting) I Hangi |
26 May 1987 |
14 July 1987 |
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| — | — | 김정렬 | 金貞烈 | Kim Chung-yul (acting) Gim Jeongryeol |
14 July 1987 |
7 August 1987 |
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| 17 | 19 | 김정렬 | 金貞烈 | Kim Chung-yul Gim Jeongryeol |
7 August 1987 |
25 February 1988 |
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| Prime Ministers of the Sixth Republic Sixth Republic of South Korea The Sixth Republic of South Korea is the country's present-day government. It began in 1987, with the transfer of power from the authoritarian Fifth Republic of Chun Doo-hwan.... |
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| Roh Tae-woo Roh Tae-woo Roh Tae-woo , is a former ROK Army general and politician. He was the 13th president of South Korea .Roh befriended Chun Doo-hwan while in high school in Daegu. In his younger life, Roh was a keen rugby union player.... Administration | — | — | 이현재 | 李賢宰 | Lee Hyun-jae (acting) I Hyeonjae |
25 February 1988 |
2 March 1988 |
| 18 | 20 | 이현재 | 李賢宰 | Lee Hyun-jae I Hyeonjae |
2 March 1988 |
5 December 1988 |
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| — | — | 강영훈 | 姜英勛 | Kang Young-hoon Gang Yeonghun |
5 December 1988 |
16 December 1988 |
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| 19 | 21 | 강영훈 | 姜英勛 | Kang Young-hoon Gang Yeonghun |
16 December 1988 |
27 December 1990 |
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| — | — | 노재봉 | 盧在鳳 | Ro Jai-bong (acting) No Jaebong |
27 December 1990 |
22 January 1991 |
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| 20 | 22 | 노재봉 | 盧在鳳 | Ro Jai-bong No Jaebong |
22 January 1991 |
24 May 1991 |
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| — | — | 정원식 | 鄭元植 | Chung Won-shik (acting) Jeong Weonsik |
24 May 1991 |
7 July 1991 |
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| 21 | 23 | 정원식 | 鄭元植 | Chung Won-shik Jeong Weonsik |
8 July 1991 |
8 October 1992 |
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| 22 | 24 | 현승종 | 玄勝鍾 | Hyun Soong-jong Hyeon Seungjong |
8 October 1992 |
25 February 1993 |
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| Kim Young-sam Kim Young-sam Kim Young-sam was a South Korean politician and democratic activist. From 1961, he spent 30 years as South Korea's leader of the opposition, and one of Park Chung-hee's most powerful rivals.... Administration | 23 | 25 | 황인성 | 黃寅性 | Hwang In-sung Hwang Inseong |
25 February 1993 |
17 December 1993 |
| 24 | 26 | 이회창 | 李會昌 | Lee Hoi-chang I Hoechang |
17 December 1993 |
22 April 1994 |
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| 25 | 27 | 이영덕 | 李榮徳 | Lee Yung-dug Lee Yeong-duk Lee Yeong-duk was a South Korean politician. He served as Prime Minister from April 1994 to December of that year.Lee died on February 6, 2010.-References:... I Yeongdeog |
29 April 1994 |
17 December 1994 |
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| 26 | 28 | 이홍구 | 李洪九 | Lee Hong-koo I Honggu |
17 December 1994 |
18 December 1995 |
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| 27 | 29 | 이수성 | 李壽成 | Lee Soo-sung I Suseong |
18 December 1995 |
4 March 1997 |
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| 28 | 30 | 고건 | 高建 | Goh Kun Goh Kun Goh Kun is a South Korean politician. He served as Prime Minister of South Korea from 1997 to 1998 and from 2003 to 2004... Go Geon |
4 March 1997 |
3 March 1998 |
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| Kim Dae-jung Administration | — | — | 김종필 | 金鍾泌 | Kim Jong-pil (acting) Gim Jongpil |
3 March 1998 |
17 August 1998 |
| 31 | 김종필 | 金鍾泌 | Kim Jong-pil (2nd Term) Gim Jongpil |
17 August 1998 |
13 January 2000 |
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| 29 | 32 | 박태준 | 朴泰俊 | Park Tae-joon Bak Taejun |
13 January 2000 |
19 May 2000 |
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| — | — | 이현재 | 李賢宰 | Lee Hun-jai Lee Hun Jai Lee Hun Jai is a South Korean politician who had served as the acting Prime Minister of South Korea twice, from May 19, 2000, to May 22, 2000, and from May 25, 2004, to June 30, 2004. Both times others were nominated to officially take that position and were confirmed by Parliament, while Lee was... (acting) I Hyeonjae |
19 May 2000 |
22 May 2000 |
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| — | — | 이한동 | 李漢東 | Lee Han-dong (acting) I Handong |
22 May 2000 |
29 June 2000 |
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| 30 | 33 | 이한동 | 李漢東 | Lee Han-dong I Handong |
29 June 2000 |
11 July 2002 |
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| — | — | 장상 | 張裳 | Chang Sang Chang Sang Chang Sang was the Acting Prime Minister of South Korea in July 2002.-References:... (acting) Jang Sang |
11 July 2002 |
31 July 2002 |
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| — | — | 전윤철 | 田允喆 | Jeon Yun-churl (acting) Jeon Yuncheol |
31 July 2002 |
9 August 2002 |
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| — | — | 장대환 | 張大煥 | Chang Dae-whan (acting) Jang Daehwan |
9 August 2002 |
10 September 2002 |
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| — | — | 김석수 | 金碩洙 | Kim Suk-soo (acting) Gim Seogsu |
10 September 2002 |
5 October 2002 |
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| 31 | 34 | 김석수 | 金碩洙 | Kim Suk-soo Gim Seogsu |
5 October 2002 |
26 February 2003 |
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| Roh Moo-hyun Roh Moo-hyun Roh Moo-hyun GOM GCB was the 16th President of South Korea .Roh's pre-presidential political career was focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, culminating in his... Administration | 35 | 고건 | 高建 | Goh Kun Goh Kun Goh Kun is a South Korean politician. He served as Prime Minister of South Korea from 1997 to 1998 and from 2003 to 2004... (2nd Term) Go Geon |
26 February 2003 |
25 May 2004 |
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| — | — | 이현재 | 李賢宰 | Lee Hun-jai Lee Hun Jai Lee Hun Jai is a South Korean politician who had served as the acting Prime Minister of South Korea twice, from May 19, 2000, to May 22, 2000, and from May 25, 2004, to June 30, 2004. Both times others were nominated to officially take that position and were confirmed by Parliament, while Lee was... (acting) I Hyeonjae |
25 May 2004 |
30 June 2004 |
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| 32 | 36 | 이해찬 | 李海瓚 | Lee Hea-chan Lee Hae Chan Lee Hae-chan is a former Prime Minister of South Korea. He was nominated by president Roh Moo-hyun on June 8, 2004, confirmed by the National Assembly on June 29, and took office on June 30. He is a member of the liberal Uri Party, and was elected five times for the National Assembly... I Haechan |
30 June 2004 |
14 March 2006 |
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| — | — | 한덕수 | 韓德洙 | Han Duck-soo (acting) Han Deogsu |
14 March 2006 |
19 April 2006 |
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| 33 | 37 | 한명숙 | 韓明淑 | Han Myeong-sook Han Myeongsug |
20 April 2006 |
March 2007 |
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| — | — | 권오규 | 權五奎 | Kwon O-kyu (acting) Gweon Ogyu |
7 March 2007 |
April 2007 |
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| 34 | 38 | 한덕수 | 韓德洙 | Han Duck-soo Han Deogsu |
2 April 2007 |
29 February 2008 |
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| Lee Myung-bak Lee Myung-bak Lee Myung-bak is the President of South Korea. Prior to his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction and the mayor of Seoul. He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother is Lee Sang-deuk, a South Korean politician. He attends the... Administration | 35 | 39 | 한승수 | 韓昇洙 | Han Seung-soo Han Seungsu |
29 February 2008 |
28 September 2009 |
| 36 | 40 | 정운찬 | 鄭雲燦 | Chung Un-chan Chung Un-Chan Chung Un-chan was the Prime Minister of South Korea . He was a professor of Seoul National University from 1978 to 2009, serving as the president of the university from July 2002 to July 2006 until he was designated to the Prime Minister. He acquired his Ph.D... Jeong Unchan |
28 September 2009 |
11 August 2010 |
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| — | — | 윤증현 | 尹増鉉 | Yoon Jeung-hyun Yoon Jeung-hyun Yoon Jeung-hyun is a South Korean civil servant and politician. He is the current Minister of Strategy and Finance.... (acting) Yun Jeunghyeon |
11 August 2010 |
1 October 2010 |
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| 37 | 41 | 김황식 | 金滉植 | Kim Hwang-sik Kim Hwang-sik Kim Hwang-sik is a South Korean lawyer and politician. He is the former Chairperson of the Board of Audit and Inspection. He became the Prime Minister of South Korea on 1 October 2010.-Biography:... Gim Hwangsik |
1 October 2010 |
Incumbent (Term expires 2013) |
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