Korea in 1952

As the war continued, the Rhee government declared martial law in the wartime capital Busan and forced through a direct-presidential-election amendment in the Busan political crisis. Rhee was re-elected in August in the first direct presidential election, and the year also saw the Peace Line declaration, the first local elections, and unrest at the Geoje POW camp.

The year in Korea

Jan 18President Syngman Rhee proclaimed the Peace Line, asserting sovereignty over the seas around the peninsula. [Source]
Apr 25The first local elections were held for city, town and township councils. [Source]
MayThe government declared martial law in Busan and other areas and arrested opposition lawmakers, setting off the Busan political crisis. [Source]
May 7Communist prisoners at the Geoje POW camp kidnapped the camp commandant, Brig. Gen. Francis Dodd. [Source]
Jul 4With opposition lawmakers confined in the chamber, the National Assembly passed the 'excerpt amendment' introducing direct presidential elections. [Source]
Aug 5In the first direct presidential election, Syngman Rhee was elected second president and Ham Tae-young vice president. [Source]

The Korean War (1950–53) · Historical photo archive →

Around the world

Feb 6Elizabeth II acceded to the British throne. [Source]

Songs, shows & trends

Sports

Two bronzes at the Helsinki Olympics — Korea sent a team despite the war, and weightlifter Kim Sung-jip and boxer Kang Joon-ho won bronze. [Source]

Year League: the best year

Sources

Each [Source] link points to the Wikipedia article for that item. Wikipedia content is available under CC BY-SA. Photos come from Wikimedia Commons and are used under the license shown with each one. Click a photo to open its original file page. More about this year on Wikipedia

1950s · War and Armistice

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