May 10, 1948: South Korea elects first national assembly

Although the stated intention is for a unified Korea, leaders on either side of the 38th parallel fail to agree on a plan for elections.

The government in the south elects its first National Assembly and adopts a constitution as the Republic of Korea. Dr. Syngman Rhee, educated at Harvard and Princeton and a fervent anti-communist, is positioned to become the first President.