---
title: Syngman Rhee
author: Harris & Ewing
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/22004/syngman-rhee/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-08-18
---
# Syngman Rhee
_Authored by Harris & Ewing_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/22004.jpg)
## Image Caption
Syngman Rhee, photograph by Harris & Ewing, circa 1939.
Syngman Rhee was originally born in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/), and at an early age he displayed nationalist views and protested against the Japanese and Russian Empires. He spent time in prison due to being implicated in a plot to remove King Gojong from power and later immigrated to America for a period to avoid the political atmosphere of Korea.
Rhee eventually returned to Korea, where he became the first president of the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, in 1948. He held the position until 1960, when he was ultimately exiled to Honolulu, Hawaii, and he spent the rest of his life there until his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) in 1965.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Ewing, H. &. (2026, August 18). Syngman Rhee. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Ewing, Harris &. "Syngman Rhee." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 18, 2026. .
### MLA
Ewing, Harris &. "Syngman Rhee." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Aug 2026, .
## License & Copyright
The public domain content above is from the [Library of Congress](http://www.loc.gov/). You can copy it freely. [Original image](https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016875712/) by [**Harris & Ewing**](https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2016875712/). Submitted by [Alex Ram](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/alexram/ "User Page: Alex Ram"), published on 18 August 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.