A constitutional referendum was held in South Korea on 21 November 1972.[1] President Park Chung-hee had suspended the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly in October. Work began almost immediately on a new constitution. The finished product, the Yushin Constitution, was a severely authoritarian document that dramatically expanded the president's powers and allowed him to run for an unlimited number of six-year terms. For all intents and purposes, the document concentrated all governing power in Park's hands.
Quick Facts Results, Choice ...
1972 South Korean constitutional referendum|
|
|
Choice |
Votes |
% |
Yes |
13,186,559 |
92.26% |
No |
1,106,143 |
7.74% |
Valid votes |
14,292,702 |
99.18% |
Invalid or blank votes |
118,012 |
0.82% |
Total votes |
14,410,714 |
100.00% |
Registered voters/turnout |
15,676,395 |
91.93% |
|
Close
According to official figures, the new document was approved by 92.3% of voters, with a turnout of 91.9%.[2] The adoption of the constitution upon the announcement of the official referendum results ushered in the Fourth Republic of South Korea.