1956 South Korean presidential election

Presidential and vice-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]

1956 South Korean presidential election

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

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

President

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Syngman Rhee	Liberal Party	5,046,437	70.0
Cho Bong-am	Independent	2,163,808	30.0
Invalid/blank votes		1,856,818	–
Total		9,067,063	100
Registered voters/turnout		9,606,870	96.4
Source: Nohlen et al.

Vice-President

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Chang Myon	Democratic Party	4,012,654	46.4
Lee Ki-poong	Liberal Party	3,805,502	44.0
Lee Beom-seok	Independent	317,579	3.7
Yun Chi-young	Korea Nationalist Party	241,278	2.8
Paeg Song-uk	Independent	230,555	2.7
Yi Yun-yong	Choseon Democratic Party	34,926	0.4
Invalid/blank votes		8,642,494	–
Total		9,064,194	100
Registered voters/turnout		9,606,870

References

1. Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p420 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
2. Nohlen et al., p464
3. Kim, H-A (2004). Korea's development under Park Chung Hee. RoutledgeCurzon, pp. 42–43.
4. Kim, p. 42.