How to Pronounce Chun Doo-hwan

Meaning and Context

Chun Doo-hwan was a pivotal and controversial figure in modern South Korean history, serving as the nation's fifth president from 1980 to 1988 after seizing power through a military coup. His authoritarian regime, known as the Fifth Republic of Korea, was characterized by stringent political repression, rapid economic growth, and significant social unrest, most infamously the Gwangju Uprising in 1980. A former army general and a key member of the Hanahoe military faction, Chun's presidency is a critical period for understanding South Korea's tumultuous journey from dictatorship to democracy. His legacy remains deeply divisive, often analyzed in the context of Korean democratization, human rights abuses, and the complex interplay between military rule and economic development in late 20th-century South Korea.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name Chun Doo-hwan, originating from Korean Hangul (전두환), can present challenges in romanization, leading to several common variants and misspellings. The most frequent alternative spelling is "Jeon Doo-hwan," reflecting the Revised Romanization system officially adopted by South Korea in 2000, whereas "Chun" follows the older McCune–Reischauer system. Common typos and errors include "Chun Doo-hwan" (incorrect hyphenation), "Chun Doo Hwan" (missing hyphen), "Doo-hwan Chun" (reversed order), and phonetic misspellings like "Chun Du-hwan" or "Jun Doo-hwan." Additionally, his given name is sometimes mistakenly written as two separate words, "Doo Hwan." When searching or writing, using the correct hyphenated form "Doo-hwan" is crucial for accuracy.

Example Sentences

Historians continue to debate the economic achievements of Chun Doo-hwan's presidency against the backdrop of his government's severe human rights record.

Following the assassination of Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan orchestrated the December 12 coup in 1979 to consolidate military control.

The brutal suppression of the Gwangju Democratization Movement remains the most indelible stain on Chun Doo-hwan's legacy.

In 1996, Chun Doo-hwan was convicted of treason and corruption, receiving a death sentence later commuted to life in prison.

Despite his authoritarian rule, some policymakers cite the stabilization of the Korean economy during Chun Doo-hwan's tenure as a foundation for later growth.

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