The South Korean Military Government refers to a series of military regimes that ruled South Korea from the end of the Korean War in 1953 until the late 1980s. The most notable period began in 1961 when General Park Chung-hee led a coup d'état, establishing a government that prioritized economic development and stability, often at the expense of democratic freedoms. During this time, the military government implemented various policies to modernize the economy, resulting in rapid industrialization. However, it also faced criticism for human rights abuses and suppression of political dissent. The military rule eventually gave way to democratic reforms, culminating in the establishment of a civilian government in 1987.