Syngman Rhee was the first president of South Korea, serving from 1948 to 1960. He was a major political figure in the country's history and was instrumental in the establishment of the Republic of Korea. He was born in 1875 in what is now North Korea and was educated in the United States. He returned to Korea in 1910 and became a leader in the independence movement against Japanese rule. After World War II, he was elected president of the newly formed Republic of Korea. He was a strong advocate for democracy and economic development, and his presidency saw the country make significant progress in both areas. He was forced to resign in 1960 due to public pressure and died in 1965.