Posun Yun; Former President of South Korea
Posun Yun, 92, who became president of South Korea in August, 1960, after a nationwide student uprising brought down the autocratic government of President Syngman Rhee. When the military seized power in a coup May 16, 1961, he remained as head of state. In March, 1962, he stepped down in favor of Park Chung-hee, who was head of a ruling military junta. With the nation returning to civil government, he ran against Park in a presidential election in October, 1963, but lost by a slim margin. Yun continued his anti-government struggle and led the political opposition until October, 1979, when Park was assassinated. He then retired from politics and lived in seclusion at his home in Seoul where he died Wednesday.
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