History of South Korea
The history of South Korea formally begins with its establishment on August 15, 1948.
Embassy of South Korea, Washington, D.C.
After the independence of Korea from Japanese rule in 1945, and the founding of South Korea in 1948, South Korea immediately restored normal diplomatic relationship with the United States and has since been sending ambassadors to the United States. Although Chang Myon is officially recorded as the first ambassador serving from February 1949, Chough Pyung-ok was recognized in August 1948 as the Special Representative of the President of South Korea with a personal rank of Ambassador. Chang replaced Chough in January 1949 in the same capacity, and was appointed as the first ambassador the following month.