Park Chung Hee's presidency from 1963 to 1979 involved political oppression and restrictions of civil rights, especially the freedom of expression. Even so, his leadership was a major driving force behind the Miracle on the Han River, a term used to refer to South Korea's rapid economic growth and modernization after the Korean War. Today, South Korea has one of the largest economies in the world, which could not have been achieved so quickly without Park.
"In human life, economics precedes politics or culture."
—Park Chung Hee
—Park Chung Hee