List of prime ministers of South Korea

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Emblem of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.svg
Standard and emblem of the prime minister of the Republic of Korea

This article lists the prime ministers of South Korea, from the First Republic founded in 1948 to the present-day Sixth Republic.

Contents

List of prime ministers

Political parties
   Liberal
   Military
Status
  Denotes acting prime minister
No.PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party President
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Prime minister under the United States Army Military Government in Korea
1 ibeomseog.JPG Lee Beom-seok
이범석
李範奭

(1900–1972)
31 July 194815 August 194815 days Korean National Youth Association Rhee Syng-Man in 1948.jpg
Rhee Syng-man
Prime ministers of the First Republic
(1) ibeomseog.JPG Lee Beom-seok
이범석
李範奭

(1900–1972)
15 August 194820 April 19501 year, 248 days Korean National Youth Association
Independent
Rhee Syng-Man in 1948.jpg
Rhee Syng-man
Shin sung.jpg Shin Song-mo
신성모
申性模

(1891–1960)
Acting
21 April 195022 November 1950215 daysIndependent
2 Chang Myon 1955.jpg Chang Myon
장면
張勉

(1899–1966)
23 November 195023 April 19521 year, 152 days Liberal
Heo Jeong.png Ho Chong
허정
許政

(1896–1988)
Acting
6 November 19519 April 1952155 daysIndependent
Yi Yun-yong, The Dong-A Ilbo.jpg Yi Yun-yong
이윤영
李允榮

(1890–1975)
Acting
24 April 19525 May 195211 daysIndependent
3 Jang Taek.jpg Chang Taek-sang
장택상
張澤相

(1893–1969)
6 May 19525 October 1952152 daysIndependent
4 Baek Du-jin.jpg Paik Too-chin
백두진
白斗鎭

(1908–1993)
9 October 195217 June 19541 year, 251 daysIndependent
5 Byeon Yeong-tae.jpg Pyon Yong-tae
변영태
卞榮泰

(1892–1969)
27 June 195428 November 1954154 daysIndependent
Baek Han-seong
백한성
白汉成

(1899–1971)
Acting
18 November 195428 November 195410 daysIndependent
Post abolished (28 November 1954 – 27 April 1960)
Heo Jeong.png Ho Chong
허정
許政

(1896–1988)
Acting
25 April 196015 June 196051 daysIndependent Rhee Syng-Man in 1948.jpg
Rhee Syng-man
Heo Jeong.png
Ho Chong
(acting)
Prime ministers of the Second Republic
6 Heo Jeong.png Ho Chong
허정
許政

(1896–1988)
15 June 196018 August 196064 daysIndependent yunboseon daetongryeong jonyeong2.jpg
Yun Posun
7
(2)
Chang Myon 1955.jpg Chang Myon
장면
張勉

(1899–1966)
19 August 196016 May 1961270 days Democratic
Chief Cabinet Ministers of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction [a]
(7)
(2)
Chang Myon 1955.jpg Chang Myon
장면
張勉

(1899–1966)
16 May 196117 May 19611 day Democratic yunboseon daetongryeong jonyeong2.jpg
Yun Posun
Chang Do-young.jpg Chief of Staff of the Army
Jang Do-young
장도영
張都暎

(1923–2012)
20 May 19613 July 196144 days Military
General Song Yo-chan 1959.jpg Chief of Staff of the Army
Song Yo-chan
송요찬
宋堯讚

(1918–1980)
3 July 196116 June 1962348 daysMilitary
Park Chung-hee.jpg General
Park Chung Hee
박정희
朴正熙

(1917–1979)
18 June 196210 July 196222 daysMilitary Park Chung-hee.jpg
Park Chung Hee
(acting)
Kim Hyun-chul Jin Xian Zhe gimhyeonceol 1961.jpg Kim Hyun-chul
김현철
金顯哲

(1901–1989)
10 July 196217 December 19631 year, 160 daysIndependent
Prime ministers of the Third Republic
8 coeduseon.jpg Choi Tu-son
최두선
崔斗善

(1894–1974)
17 December 19639 May 1964144 daysIndependent Park Chung-hee.jpg
Park Chung Hee
9 General Chung Il-kwon 02.jpg Chung Il-kwon
정일권
丁一權

(1917–1994)
10 May 196420 December 19706 years, 224 daysIndependent
10
(4)
Baek Du-jin.jpg Paik Too-chin
백두진
白斗鎭

(1908–1993)
21 December 19703 June 1971164 days Democratic Republican
11 Kim Jong-pil 1999.png Kim Jong-pil
김종필
金鍾泌

(1926–2018)
4 June 197121 November 19721 year, 170 daysDemocratic Republican
Prime ministers of the Fourth Republic
11
(cont'd.)
Kim Jong-pil 1999.png Kim Jong-pil
김종필
金鍾泌

(1926–2018)
21 November 197218 December 19753 years, 27 daysDemocratic Republican Park Chung-hee.jpg
Park Chung-hee
12 Presidents of the Republic Of Korea (4261836786) Choi.jpg Choi Kyu-hah
최규하
崔圭夏

(1919–2006)
19 December 19755 December 19793 years, 351 daysIndependent
13 Fu Xing Bu Qi Hua Ju Qi Hua Ke Chang Li Qi Hong .jpg Shin Hyun-hwak
신현확
申鉉碻

(1920–2007)
13 December 197921 May 1980160 daysDemocratic Republican Presidents of the Republic Of Korea (4261836786) Choi.jpg
Choi Kyu-hah
Park Choong-hoon
(acting)
Park Choong-hoon
박충훈
朴忠勳

(1919–2001)
Acting
22 May 19801 September 1980102 daysDemocratic Republican
14 namdeogu congri.jpg Nam Duck-woo
남덕우
南德祐

(1924–2013)
2 September 19802 March 1981181 daysIndependent Chun Doo-hwan, 1985-Mar-22 (cropped).jpg
Chun Doo-hwan
Prime ministers of the Fifth Republic
14
(cont'd.)
namdeogu congri.jpg Nam Duck-woo
남덕우
南德祐

(1924–2013)
3 March 19813 January 1982306 daysIndependent Chun Doo-hwan, 1985-Mar-22 (cropped).jpg
Chun Doo-hwan
15 Yoo Chang-soon.jpg Yoo Chang-soon
유창순
劉彰順

(1918–2010)
4 January 198224 June 1982171 daysIndependent
16 Kim Sang-hyup 1983.jpg Kim Sang-hyup
김상협
金相浹

(1920–1995)
25 June 198214 October 19831 year, 111 daysIndependent
17 Chin Iee-chong
진의종
陳懿鍾

(1921–1995)
15 October 198318 February 19851 year, 126 days Democratic Justice
Shin Byung-hyun  [ ko ]
신병현
申秉鉉

(1921–1999)
Acting
11 November 198418 February 198599 daysDemocratic Justice
18 Lho Shin-yong.jpg Lho Shin-yong
노신영
盧信永

(1930–2019)
19 February 198525 May 19872 years, 95 daysDemocratic Justice
Lee Han-key  [ ko ]
이한기
李漢基

(1917–1995)
Acting
26 May 198713 July 198748 daysIndependent
19 Sadao Kagawa, Ki-61.jpg Kim Chung-yul
김정렬
金貞烈

(1917–1992)
14 July 198724 February 1988225 daysIndependent
Prime ministers of the Sixth Republic
20 ihyeonjae congri.jpg Lee Hyun-jae
이현재
李賢宰

(born 1929)
25 February 19884 December 1988283 daysIndependent Roh Tae-woo - cropped, 1989-Mar-13.jpg
Roh Tae-woo
21 Kang Young-hoon
강영훈
姜英勛

(1922–2016)
5 December 198826 December 19902 years, 21 daysDemocratic Justice →
Democratic Liberal
22 Ro Jai-bong
노재봉
盧在鳳

(1936–2024)
27 December 199023 May 1991147 daysDemocratic Liberal
23 Chung Won-shik
정원식
鄭元植

(1928–2020)
24 May 19917 October 19921 year, 136 daysIndependent
24 hyeonseungjong.jpg Hyun Soong-jong
현승종
玄勝鍾

(1919–2020)
8 October 199224 February 1993139 daysIndependent
25
Hwang-insung-archive-korea.jpg
Hwang In-sung
황인성
黃寅性

(1926–2010)
25 February 199316 December 1993294 daysDemocratic Liberal Kim Young-sam presidential portrait.jpg
Kim Young-sam
26 Lee Hoi-chang (2010).jpg Lee Hoi-chang
이회창
李會昌

(born 1935)
17 December 199321 April 1994125 daysIndependent
27 Lee Yung-dug
이영덕
李榮徳

(1926–2010)
22 April 199416 December 1994238 daysIndependent
28 Lee Hong Koo.png Lee Hong-koo
이홍구
李洪九

(born 1934)
17 December 199417 December 19951 year, 0 daysIndependent
29 Lee Soo-sung 1 (cropped).jpg Lee Soo-sung
이수성
李壽成

(born 1939)
18 December 19954 March 19971 year, 76 days New Korea
30 daehanmingug congri gogeon seouljonghabbangjaesenteo bangmun90 (cropped).jpg Goh Kun
고건
高建

(born 1938)
5 March 19972 March 1998362 daysNew Korea →
Grand National
31
(11)
Kim Jong-pil 1999.png Kim Jong-pil
김종필
金鍾泌

(1926–2018)
3 March 199812 January 20001 year, 315 days United Liberal Democrats Kim Dae-jung presidential portrait.jpg
Kim Dae-jung
32 Park Tae-joon
박태준
朴泰俊

(1927–2011)
13 January 200018 May 2000126 daysUnited Liberal Democrats
Lee Hun-jai
이헌재
李憲宰

(born 1944)
Acting
19 May 200022 May 20003 daysIndependent
33
Lee Han-Dong.jpg
Lee Han-dong
이한동
李漢東

(1934–2021)
23 May 200010 July 20022 years, 48 daysUnited Liberal Democrats
jangsang.jpg Chang Sang
장상
張裳

(born 1939)
Acting
11 July 200231 July 200220 daysIndependent
Jeon Yun-churl  [ ko ]
전윤철
田允喆

(born 1939)
Acting
31 July 20029 August 20029 daysIndependent
Chang Dae-whan (cropped 2).jpg Chang Dae-whan
장대환
張大煥

(born 1952)
Acting
9 August 200210 September 200232 daysIndependent
34 2000nyeondae coban seoulsobang sobanggongmuweon(sobanggwan) hwaldong sajin congrisentabangmun-1 (gimseogsu).jpg Kim Suk-soo
김석수
金碩洙

(born 1932)
10 September 200226 February 2003169 daysIndependent
35
(30)
daehanmingug congri gogeon seouljonghabbangjaesenteo bangmun90 (cropped).jpg Goh Kun
고건
高建

(born 1938)
27 February 200324 July 20041 year, 148 daysIndependent Roh Moo-hyun presidential portrait.jpg
Roh Moo-hyun
Lee Hun-jai
이헌재
李憲宰

(born 1944)
Acting
25 July 200430 July 20045 daysIndependent
36 191028deobuleominjudangyesanjeongcaeghyeobyihoe(3).jpg Lee Hae-chan
이해찬
李海瓚

(born 1952)
30 July 200415 March 20061 year, 228 days Uri
Han Duck-soo.jpg Han Duck-soo
한덕수
韓悳洙

(born 1949)
Acting
16 March 200619 April 200634 daysIndependent
37 Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook taking a commemorative photo with the Speaker of the National Assembly.jpg Han Myeong-sook
한명숙
韓明淑

(born 1944)
20 April 20066 March 2007320 daysUri
Kwon O-kyu
권오규
權五奎

(born 1952)
Acting
7 March 20072 April 200726 daysIndependent
38 Han Duk-Soo, Prime Minister South Korea and Dominik Knoll, CEO of the World Trade Center (cropped).jpg Han Duck-soo
한덕수
韓悳洙

(born 1949)
2 April 200729 February 2008333 daysIndependent
39 Han Seung-Soo - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2009.jpg Han Seung-soo
한승수
韓昇洙

(born 1936)
29 February 200828 September 20091 year, 212 days Grand National Lee Myung-bak presidential portrait.jpg
Lee Myung-bak
40 ChungUnChan(060515)Cropped.jpg Chung Un-chan
정운찬
鄭雲燦

(born 1947)
29 September 200911 August 2010316 daysIndependent
Yoon Jeung-Hyun (cropped).jpg Yoon Jeung-hyun
윤증현
尹增鉉

(born 1946)
Acting
11 August 20101 October 201051 daysGrand National
41 Kim Hwang Sik-1-1.jpg Kim Hwang-sik
김황식
金滉植

(born 1948)
1 October 201026 February 20132 years, 148 daysIndependent
42 Chung Hong-won small.jpg Chung Hong-won
정홍원
鄭烘原

(born 1944)
26 February 201316 February 20151 year, 355 daysIndependent Park Geun-hye presidential portrait.png
Park Geun-hye
43 iwangu jeon congri.png Lee Wan-koo
이완구
李完九

(1950–2021)
17 February 201527 April 201569 days Saenuri
Choi Kyoung-hwan 2014.jpg Choi Kyoung-hwan
최경환
崔炅煥

(born 1955)
Acting
27 April 201518 June 201552 daysSaenuri
44 President Hwang Kyo Ahn.jpg Hwang Kyo-ahn
황교안
黃敎安

(born 1957)
17 June 201511 May 20171 year, 328 daysIndependent
President Hwang Kyo Ahn.jpg
Hwang Kyo-ahn
(acting)
Deputy PM Yoo Ilho Press Conference 04.jpg Yoo Il-ho
유일호
柳一鎬

(born 1955)
Acting
11 May 201731 May 201720 days Liberty Korea President Moon Jae-in.png
Moon Jae-in
45 South Korean Prime Minister Lee - 2017 (36235112603) (cropped).jpg Lee Nak-yon
이낙연
李洛淵

(born 1951)
31 May 201714 January 20202 years, 228 days Democratic
46 Donald Trump and Chung Sye-kyun (cropped2).jpg Chung Sye-kyun
정세균
丁世均

(born 1950)
14 January 202016 April 20211 year, 92 daysDemocratic
Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.jpg Hong Nam-ki
홍남기
洪楠基

(born 1960)
Acting
16 April 202113 May 202127 daysIndependent
47 Kim Boo-kyum - 20170119 k.jpg Kim Boo-kyum
김부겸
金富謙

(born 1958)
14 May 202111 May 2022362 daysDemocratic
cugyeongho bucongri yebang bada 001 (cropped).jpg Choo Kyung-ho
추경호
秋慶鎬

(born 1960)
Acting
12 May 202220 May 20228 days People Power South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol portrait.jpg
Yoon Suk Yeol
48
(38)
Han Duck-soo March 2023 (cropped).jpg Han Duck-soo
한덕수
韓悳洙

(born 1949)
21 May 202227 December 2024 [b] 2 years, 220 daysIndependent
Choi Sang-mok 20240816.jpg Choi Sang-mok
최상목
崔相穆

(born 1963)
Acting
27 December 202424 March 202587 daysIndependent
48
(38)
Prime Minister of South Korea HAN Duck-soo 20240516 (cropped).jpg Han Duck-soo
한덕수
韓悳洙

(born 1949)
24 March 2025 [c] 1 May 2025 [d] 38 daysIndependent President Han Duck-soo (cropped).jpg
Han Duck-soo
(acting)
Lee Ju-ho Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education 20241203.jpg Lee Ju-ho
이주호
李周浩

(born 1961)
Acting
2 May 2025 [e] 3 July 202562 daysIndependent President Lee Ju-ho.jpg
Lee Ju-ho
(acting)
49 Kim Min-seok's Portrait (2024.7) (cropped).png Kim Min-seok
김민석
金民錫

(born 1964)
3 July 2025Incumbent59 days Democratic President Lee Jae-myung 2025 (cropped).jpg
Lee Jae Myung

Timeline

Kim Min-seok (politician)Lee Ju-hoChoi Sang-mokChoo Kyung-hoKim Boo-kyumHong Nam-kiChung Sye-kyunLee Nak-yeonYoo Il-hoHwang Kyo-ahnChoi Kyoung-hwanLee Wan-kooJung Hong-wonKim Hwang-sikYoon Jeung-hyunChung Un-chanHan Seung-sooKwon O-kyuHan Myeong-sookHan Duck-sooLee Hae-chanKim Suk-sooChang Dae-whanChang SangLee Han-dongLee Hun-jaiPark Tae-joonGoh KunLee Soo-sungLee Hong-kooLee Yung-dugLee Hoi-changHwang In-sungHyun Soong-jongChung Won-shikRo Jai-bongKang Young-hoonLee Hyun-jaeKim Chung-yulLho Shin-yongChin Iee-chongKim Sang-hyupYoo Chang-soonNam Duck-wooPark Choong-hoonShin Hyun-hwakChoi Kyu-hahKim Jong-pilChung Il-kwonChoi Tu-sonBaek Han-seongPyon Yong-taePaik Too-chinChang Taek-sangYi Yun-yongHo ChongChang MyonShin Song-moLee Beom-seok (prime minister)List of prime ministers of South Korea

See also

Notes

  1. Chief Cabinet Minister of the Military Revolutionary Committee until 20 May 1961.
  2. Han was impeached by the National Assembly on 27 December 2024. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, who is next in line to the succession took over both powers and duties as acting prime minister and acting president. [1]
  3. Han Duck-soo was reinstated by the Constitutional Court on 24 March 2025. [2]
  4. Han resigned to run for president in the 2025 presidential election.
  5. Choi Sang-mok was initially expected to assume the acting prime ministership and presidency again on 2 May, but he resigned on 1 May to avoid an impeachment vote by the National Assembly. [3]

References

  1. "South Korea votes to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo". BBC. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  2. "South Korea court reinstates PM as acting leader". BBC. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  3. 민경락. "[2보] 최상목 경제부총리, 탄핵안 상정 직후 사의 표명". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 1 May 2025.