Park was heavily criticized as a ruthless military dictator , who in 1972 extended his rule by creating a new constitution , which gave the president sweeping ( almost dictatorial ) powers and permitted him to run for an unlimited number of six-year terms . The Korean economy developed significantly during Park 's tenure . The government developed the nationwide expressway system , the Seoul subway system , and laid the foundation for economic development during his 17-year tenure , which ended with his assassination in 1979
his assassination
Assassination of Park Chung-hee
South Korea