South Korean presidential election, 1956

Republic of Korea presidential election, 1956

15 May 1956

Nominee Syngman Rhee Cho Bong-am Party Liberal Independent Popular vote 5,046,437 2,163,808 Percentage 70.0% 30.0%

Map of pluralities won in provinces and cities: ■ – Syngman Rhee

President before election Syngman Rhee Liberal Elected President Syngman Rhee Liberal

Presidential elections were held in South Korea on 15 May 1956.^[1] The result was a victory for Syngman Rhee, who won 70.0% of the vote. Voter turnout was 94.4%.^[2]

Rhee, who at that time held a virtual monopoly on political power, was opposed by Shin Ik-hee and Cho Bong-am. Shin died before the election by disease, and Cho campaigned on a platform of peaceful reunification in opposition to Rhee's policy of "March North and unify Korea".^[3] Cho exceeded expectations by receiving over 30% of the vote. Three years later, Cho was accused of violating the National Security Law and executed.^[4]

Results

References

Elections and referendums in South Korea Presidential elections 1948 1952 1956 1960 (Mar) 1960 (Aug) 1963 1967 1971 1972 1978 1979 1980 1981 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 2017 Legislative elections 1948 1950 1954 1958 1960 1963 1967 1971 1973 1978 1981 1985 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 Local elections 1952 1956 1960 1991 1995 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 By-elections 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Referendums 1962 1969 1972 1975 1980 1987