The Second Republic: A Democratic Korea TL

Prologue

May 16th, 1961, Seoul, 4 AM

Chang-Myeon woke up to the sound of phone ringing. Picking up the phone, he recognized a familiar voice. It was Chang Do-Young*. As the voice relayed him the information, Chang-Myeon felt the blood draining from his face. He knew this was a possibility all along. After all, he spoke to the man days ago about the exact subject matter. Chang Do-Young gave him an assurance that Park and his cliques were in no way conspiring against the government. Now, the same man was telling Chang-Myeon that Park and his forces had just occupied the army headquarters and that rebels were less than 30 minutes away from the downtown. Phone call ended with Chang Do-Young assuring him that he’ll ‘take care of the situation’.

Chang-Myeon knew that he had to act fast, he cannot allow himself to be captured by the rebels. He couldn’t trust anyone, anyone could be implicated at this point. Chang Do-Young was obviously in cahoots with Park. Could President Yun be implicated as well? He was not so sure. The man was willing to do almost anything to take him and ‘New Guards’ faction out from the Democratic Party and take control of the government. But was he willing go so far as to back a military coup? If that was the case, there was only one place he could go. After brief prayer**, he summoned for his driver. After taking a seat to his car, he realized that he was not even wearing his glasses. Chang was not sure if he was lucid or dreaming, everything changed in span of 10 minutes. He felt old wound on his right hand flaring up, a constant reminder of price he paid for the democracy in Korea. *** In the moment of clarity, he realized that today was going to be the longest day of his life. The nascent republic was facing the biggest challenge in its short existence so far.

*Chief of the Army Staff

** Chang-Myeon was a devout Catholic.

*** Assassin shot through his right hand in September 28th, 1956 during Democratic Party Convention.

6tQYaNV.jpg

Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Korea, Chang Myeon

9dKwyzL.jpg

Leaders of the May 16th Putsch, Major General Park Jung-Hee (Center)

This is my first timeline. Felt like this was an interesting enough subject matter; Democratic Korea in the 60s! Parliamentary Democracy with bicameral legislature! Legalized Socialist Parties!
 
Brief information on the Second Republic of Korea:

Second Republic of South Korea was established after the April Revolution, caused by election fraud in 1960 presidential election in favor of the sitting president Syngman-Rhee and vice president Lee Ki-pong. With Syngman-Rhee stepping down in April 26th, new election was called in July. New constitution was written in June, with heavy emphasis on citizen’s basic rights and new political system. 233 member House of Commons and 58 member House of Counselors was created. Presidency was reduced to ceremonial role, elected by House of Commons, while Prime Minister hold an executive power. The Democratic Party won overwhelming majority in both chambers. Leader of the Democratic Party, Chang-Myeon, became Prime Minister, leader of the "Old Guard" faction within the Democratic Party, Yun Po-Sun a president.

u79GWFk.jpg
V4Wvz4e.jpg

Presidential Inauguration, July 1960, President Yun Po-Sun (left), Prime Minister Chang Myeon (right) Commemorative stamp: Opening of the House of Counselors (August 1960)
 
Last edited:
May 16th 1961, Seoul, US Embassy, 4:30 AM

Chang's car stopped at the gate of the US Embassy. Despite initial communication issue, Chang-Myeon entered the US embassy without much trouble. (POD: IOTL, Chang wasn't able to enter the embassy and fled to nunnery, spending crucial times hiding out in the remote location, refusing to contact anyone in fear of treason. He'll have much more important role ITTL.) Chang-Myeon, or John M. Chang, as he was known to Americans, demanded an immediate meeting with the Ambassador Marshall Green and Commander of the US Forces Korea, Carter B. Magruder.

May 16th 1961, Seoul, Korean Broadcasting Company, 5:00 AM


With the coup army occupying the central broadcasting station, Park entered the broadcasting room and issued the proclamation announcing the seizure of power.

Dear Patriotic citizen! The military authorities, thus far avoiding conflict, can no longer restrain themselves, and have taken a concerted operation at the dawn of this day to completely take over the three branches of the Government and to form the Military Revolutionary Committee.

The armed services have staged this uprising because: (1) We believe that the fate of the nation and the people cannot be entrusted to the corrupt and incompetent regime and its politicians. (2) We believe that the time has come [for the armed forces] to give direction to our nation, which has gone dangerously astray.

First, Military Revolutionary Committee will base Anti-Communism as a premier ideology of the nation and reform, and reaffirm our Anti-Communist stance.

Second, Military Revolutionary Committee will follow UN charter and international agreements, and reaffirm our relationship with free nations around the world like USA.

Third, Military Revolutionary Committee will eradicate all forms of corruption and old evil, and raise clean social ethos to reform decadent morality and national spirit.

Fourth, Military Revolutionary Committee will solve current economic woes that put so many people in a state of despair and famine, and will put all our efforts to reconstruct autonomous national economy.

Fifth, Military Revolutionary Committee will concentrate all efforts to improve our ability to fight communists as to achieve our national wish of unifying nation’s land.

Sixth, if these tasks are achieved, we will be willing to return to our duties, giving back power to new and honest politicians.

Patriotic citizens, we ask you to trust Military Revolutionary Committee completely and return to each of your workplace and lives as usual without any disruption.

From this moment, new and vibrant history is being created by our hope. Our nation demands our solidarity, patience, courage and progress! All hail Republic of Korea, All hail Revolutionary Army!*

General Secretary of Military Revolutionary Council: Army Chief of Staff Chang Do-Yong**

*OTL proclamation.

**Chang Do-Young was unaware of the content of the proclamation, and throughout the coup, acted in dubious manner to both sides.
 
Top