Politicians from South Korea

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary South Koreans Politicians of all time. This list of famous South Koreans Politicians is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of South Koreans Politicians.

1. #1

   

   Kim Il-sung

   1912 - 1994

   HPI 89.10139 langs

   Kim Il-sung was the first leader of North Korea and is most famous for his role in the Korean War.

2. #2

   

   Sejong the Great

   1397 - 1450

   HPI 82.8468 langs

   Sejong the Great is most famous for his creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet.

3. #3

   

   Park Chung-hee

   1917 - 1979

   HPI 81.2786 langs

   Park Chung-hee was the president of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He is most famous for leading South Korea's economic development.

4. #4

   

   Syngman Rhee

   1875 - 1965

   HPI 81.1181 langs

   Syngman Rhee was the first president of South Korea. He was in office from 1948 to 1960, and he was instrumental in the establishment of...Read moreShow less

   Syngman Rhee was the first president of South Korea. He was in office from 1948 to 1960, and he was instrumental in the establishment of South Korea as a democratic country.

5. #5

   

   Yoon Suk Yeol

   b. 1960

   HPI 78.6480 langs
6. #6

   

   Kim Dae-jung

   1924 - 2009

   HPI 78.2683 langs

   Kim Dae-jung is most famous for being the president of South Korea from 1998 to 2003.

7. #7

   

   Moon Jae-in

   b. 1953

   HPI 77.2692 langs

   Moon Jae-in is a South Korean politician who served as the 12th President of South Korea from 2017 to 2022. Before his presidency, he was a...Read moreShow less

   Moon Jae-in is a South Korean politician who served as the 12th President of South Korea from 2017 to 2022. Before his presidency, he was a human rights lawyer and the Chief Presidential Secretary to President Roh Moo-hyun. As president, Moon was known for his efforts to improve relations with North Korea and his commitment to transparency and anti-corruption measures in the South Korean government.

8. #8

   

   Chun Doo-hwan

   1931 - 2021

   HPI 77.2560 langs

   Chun Doo-hwan is famous for being a former military general and politician who served as the President of South Korea from 1980 to 1988. He...Read moreShow less

   Chun Doo-hwan is famous for being a former military general and politician who served as the President of South Korea from 1980 to 1988. He is best known for his controversial rise to power in a military coup in 1979 and his role in the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians.

9. #9

   

   Roh Moo-hyun

   1946 - 2009

   HPI 76.6575 langs

   Roh Moo-hyun was the president of South Korea from 2003 to 2008. He is most famous for his Sunshine Policy, which was a policy of engagement...Read moreShow less

   Roh Moo-hyun was the president of South Korea from 2003 to 2008. He is most famous for his Sunshine Policy, which was a policy of engagement with North Korea.

10. #10

    

    Jeongjo of Joseon

    1752 - 1800

    HPI 76.4434 langs

    Jeongjo of Joseon is most famous for his abolition of the death penalty and his various reforms.