Choi Kyu Hah

▪ 2007

      South Korean politician (b. July 16, 1919, Wonju, Kangwon province, Japanese-occupied Korea [now in South Korea]—d. Oct. 22, 2006, Seoul, South Korea), briefly served as president (December [acting from October] 1979–September 1980) of South Korea during the tumultuous period after Pres. Park Chung Hee was assassinated by the chief of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. Choi had served three years as prime minister under Park. Choi, who was intent on making liberal reforms to the country's constitution after he became president, was hamstrung by the military, which was largely in control. Choi was also held responsible for the massacre in May 1980 of hundreds of students taking part in a pro-democracy demonstration in Kwangju. After handing over power, reportedly under pressure, to Lieut. Gen. Chun Doo Hwan, Choi retired from political life.

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