1. Early Life and Background
Im Yeong-sin's formative years were deeply influenced by her family's devout Christianity and the turbulent socio-political climate of the Japanese colonial period, which ignited her nationalist sentiments and spurred her early activism.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Im Yeong-sin was born on 20 November 1899 in Sangok-ri, Geumsan-eup, Geumsan County, then part of Jeollabuk-do province (now Chungcheongnam-do province). She was the fifth of twelve children, and the second daughter, born to Im Gu-hwan of the Pungcheon Im clan and Kim Gyeong-sun. Her father, Im Gu-hwan, was a devout Presbyterian elder and a prominent local figure who managed to revive his family's fortunes despite a lineage that had declined. Her family's strong Christian faith granted her access to Western education, which was uncommon for women at the time.
From a young age, Im Yeong-sin showed an inquisitive mind, often joining her brothers to listen to her father discuss politics and current affairs, including the Donghak Peasant Movement and the influx of foreign currency into Joseon. Her early exposure to American missionaries, whom her father often brought home, deepened her Christian faith and sparked her interest in the outside world. In 1909, she enrolled in Simgwang Elementary School in Geumsan. Despite her family's initial intention to arrange her marriage and withdraw her from school, she secretly continued her studies, earning a reputation in her village for her defiance of traditional expectations. She graduated from Simgwang Elementary School in 1914. At the age of eight, she was captivated by her first experience with moving pictures, or films.
1.2. Education and Early Activism
Im Yeong-sin's educational journey took her through various institutions in Korea and Japan, where her national consciousness deepened, leading to her early involvement in anti-Japanese activities and the Korean independence movement. Her determination to pursue education was evident when, at the age of twelve, she firmly rejected arranged marriage proposals, stating, "My life is my own, not my family's." She found the idea of forced marriage for a young girl who "didn't even know what marriage was" to be "a sin," shocking traditional matchmakers. Despite her mother's daily pleas to accept an arranged marriage, Im Yeong-sin persistently refused, declaring, "My life is my own, not my family's." This strong stance eventually led her parents to allow her to pursue higher education. She even advised her elder sister to resist an unwanted marriage by refusing to eat and crying daily, which successfully led to the annulment of the engagement.
1.2.1. Education in Korea and Japan
In 1914, she entered Jeonju Kijeon Girls' School (기전여학교Korean), where she became a leader among Christian students, organizing prayer groups and faith activities with the encouragement of teachers like Park Hyeon-suk. During her time at Kijeon, she spearheaded an effort to teach Korean history, which was forbidden by Japanese authorities. She and three close friends secretly copied pages from a Korean history book, Dongguksa, which they obtained from the school pastor. Im Yeong-sin considered this act of preserving national heritage her "first bullet" fired against the "detestable rulers of her homeland." This clandestine operation, conducted by candlelight, led to the copies being distributed to patriotic youth and leaders for anti-Japanese study groups. When Japanese teachers and Miss Golden, the principal, discovered suspicious activities, Miss Golden expressed distress, fearing the school's closure and the students' imprisonment. Im Yeong-sin remained resolute, believing they were fighting for "the light of powerful freedom" for their nation. The copied books were secretly buried under Jeonju's South Gate to evade Japanese discovery.
In 1915, during her second year at Kijeon, Im Yeong-sin, along with friends like Oh Ja-hyeon, formed a secret "Suicide Squad" to resist Japanese authority. They refused to sing the Japanese national anthem or bow before the Japanese Emperor's portrait during morning assembly. One daring act involved using sharpened pencils to poke holes in the eyes of the Japanese Emperor's portraits hung in classrooms, a defiant gesture that enraged Japanese teachers and officials. She also led a "no-쓰개치마" (ssugaechima) movement within the school, challenging the traditional Korean veil worn by women, which she saw as a symbol of outdated customs that hindered women's equality and health. She argued that the 쓰개치마 was not only inconvenient but also detrimental to health and perpetuated an unequal social standing. Despite initial resistance from Miss Golden, who feared repercussions from Japanese authorities, Im Yeong-sin's persistence, combined with a student strike, eventually led to the school allowing students to abandon the 쓰개치마. This movement, starting around 1916, gradually spread nationwide, freeing young women from the custom. She graduated from Kijeon Girls' School on March 20, 1918.
After graduation, she initially rejected her father's offer to attend Ewha Womans University, stating a mission beyond marriage or further study. In March 1918, through the arrangement of her former teacher Yi Sun-gil, she became a teacher at Yangdae Elementary School in Cheonan. During her teaching tenure, she gained recognition for not using corporal punishment, a common practice at the time, arguing that it did not foster genuine reflection in students. She herself recounted being severely beaten by her father for a childhood transgression, leading her to question the effectiveness of physical punishment in education. She studied at Hiroshima Christian Girls' College in Japan from 1919 to 1921. While there, she observed significant differences between Japanese and Korean women, noting that Japanese women seemed to have more pre-marital freedom but less marital freedom, often treated as "tools for a man's convenience." She found their detailed discussions of sexuality shocking but understood it as a policy to increase population for imperial ambitions.
1.2.2. Study Abroad in the US and Independence Movement
Im Yeong-sin's early activism culminated in her participation in the March 1st Movement in 1919. She joined the independence protests in Cheonan and Jeonju, disseminating Korean flags and leaflets. Disguised as a rural woman returning from a funeral, she evaded Japanese police, even feigning motherhood to travel to Jeonju. She was arrested on March 12 during a demonstration at Jeonju's South Gate, subjected to torture, and imprisoned in Jeonju Prison, then transferred to Seodaemun Prison, where she served seven months of a 3-year suspended sentence.
Following her release in June 1919, she went to Japan to study at Hiroshima Christian Girls' College, though she remained under the surveillance of Japanese detectives. In 1921, she returned to Korea and taught at Youngmyung Girls' School in Gongju and Ewha Hakdang in Seoul. While teaching, she continued her underground activities, maintaining contact with independence activists and the Provisional Government in Shanghai. In 1923, after securing permission from the Government-General of Korea, she traveled to Japan and then to the United States to deliver crucial information, including photos and victim lists, related to the Kantō Massacre to Syngman Rhee.
In the United States, Im Yeong-sin pursued higher education, enrolling at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1925, where she earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy in 1931. She worked as a maid to finance her studies, saving nearly 2.00 K USD to support her dream of establishing a university to train women leaders in Korea. During her time in the U.S., she became a close associate of Syngman Rhee, admiring his courage and dedication to the independence movement. When she presented him with massacre evidence, she naively believed immediate independence would follow. Rhee tempered her expectations, stating, "I will publish these photos, but this is just one chapter in a long struggle... The world will not care about us." He emphasized that "victory for Korea will not come from one thing alone" and stressed the need for a continuous fight. This interaction deeply resonated with her, solidifying her commitment to Rhee's vision of achieving independence through diplomacy and international persuasion. Rhee allegedly proposed marriage to her, but she declined, stating, "I am already married to the independence movement." Im Yeong-sin also delivered speeches in Korean communities in Hawaii, seeking funds for her educational projects, though some male members expressed skepticism about a woman leading such initiatives, questioning if a woman could lead a fight against men or if female students could fight armed Japanese. She observed that Koreans in the US had begun to distrust one another, with some Koreans working as secret agents for the Japanese, often acting worse than the Japanese themselves.
2. Educational Career
Im Yeong-sin's educational career was marked by her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to establishing institutions that would empower Korean women through knowledge.
2.1. Establishment and Operation of Chung-Ang University
Upon her return to Korea in 1932, Im Yeong-sin was determined to liberate Korean women from traditional and imperialistic constraints through education. In April 1932, she established the Central Nursery School (중앙보육학교Korean), taking over the financially struggling Gyeongseong Central Kindergarten Teacher Training Institute. She personally recruited faculty, including experts in philosophy, psychology, music, literature, and science, and developed a curriculum encompassing child psychology, teaching methods, Christian doctrine, and practical skills. In 1933, she founded the Central Normal School (중앙사범학교Korean).
Despite repeated rejections from the Government-General of Korea to upgrade her schools, due to their suspicion of her independence activism, she meticulously followed their rules, preventing the closure of her institutions. Japanese spies frequently monitored her schools, and the Government-General officials often threatened closure, stating, "You are not the type of person to educate female students according to Japanese ideals." Im Yeong-sin, however, was careful to avoid direct evidence for closure. In 1944, the Japanese authorities eventually closed her school, but she reopened it the following year after Korea's liberation. In September 1946, she established Chung-Ang Women's College (중앙여자대학Korean), the predecessor of Chung-Ang University, and served as its president. In September 1948, the institution was reorganized into Chung-Ang University (중앙대학교Korean), where she continued as president. She served as the president of Chung-Ang University from February 1953 to November 1961, and again from 1963 to 1971. From November 1961, she also chaired the Chung-Ang Cultural Foundation.
2.2. Women's Rights Activism and Organizations
Im Yeong-sin was a prominent figure in women's rights movements in Korea. After returning from the United States in 1932, she served as the Secretary-General of the Korean Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in 1933, advocating for women's social participation. In October 1945, she founded the Korean Women's National Party (대한여자국민당Korean) and became its leader, making it the first women's political party in Korea.
She championed women's education, believing it was essential for their liberation from traditional and imperialistic oppression. Her efforts extended beyond formal education; she encouraged women to participate in social reform and public life. From 1961, she served as the head of the Korean Women's Youth Corps (대한여자청년단Korean). She also held leadership positions in various women's organizations, including serving as the President of the Korean Women's Federation (한국부인회Korean) from 1963 to 1971. From 1965 to 1972, she was the president of the Korean Federation of Education Associations (대한교육연합회Korean), and in 1966, she became the president of the World Teachers' Organizations Confederation.
3. Political Career
Im Yeong-sin's political career was extensive, encompassing diplomatic missions, ministerial appointments, and legislative service, where she consistently advocated for Korean sovereignty and democratic governance.
3.1. United Nations Representation
Im Yeong-sin played a critical role as a representative of South Korea at the United Nations from 1946 to 1948, focusing on securing international recognition and support for Korean independence and the establishment of a sovereign state. In September 1946, she was dispatched to the UN General Assembly to engage in diplomatic activities aimed at establishing an independent state through general elections. Before heading to the UN headquarters in New York, she visited Washington, D.C., to deliver official letters of gratitude from the provisional government to President Harry S. Truman and Secretary of State James F. Byrnes.
Funding her UN activities was challenging, as domestic support was limited. Her brother, Im Il, a successful truck and gas station owner in Los Angeles, provided significant financial assistance, amounting to 380.00 K USD for her expenses. In Washington, she consulted with key figures, including lawyer John Staggers, journalist J. J. Williams, Professor Robert T. Oliver, and Colonel M. Preston Goodfellow, to strategize for the upcoming UN session.
On October 20, 1946, she attended the UN conference at Flushing Meadows in New York. Initially denied entry due to Korea's lack of official statehood, she eventually gained temporary observer status with the help of Bernardino and Associated Press reporter Sigrid Arne, who knew Eleanor Roosevelt. She then secured permanent access for two years with the endorsements of three ambassadors, including those from El Salvador and Libya. Despite her access, she attended sessions as an observer without an official seat, often having to eat simple meals alone in the cafeteria while observing delegations of up to a hundred advisors and assistants from other nations. She felt "heart-wrenching bitterness" that a nation with "five millennia of history and thirty million people" could not even secure an official seat in the global assembly. She described the delegations arriving in beautiful private cars and dining in elaborate private rooms, in stark contrast to her solitary, simple meals in the cafeteria.
Feeling the "heart-wrenching bitterness" of Korea's unrecognized status, she sought meetings with UN leaders like Paul-Henri Spaak, the first President of the UN General Assembly, and Trygve Lie, the first UN Secretary-General, to appeal for the inclusion of the Korean issue on the UN agenda. Andrew Cordier, Trygve Lie's secretary, gave a positive response, suggesting the Korean issue should be formally discussed. Im Yeong-sin's team, including John Staggers and Im Byeong-jik, informed all delegations by telegram that a petition on Korea would be submitted on November 1. The document was read in the General Assembly, and copies were distributed to all representatives, leading to Korea's issue becoming an official UN matter.
She actively sought support from various nations, especially China, through Ambassador V. K. Wellington Koo, who had a past connection with Syngman Rhee. The Philippines, a newly independent nation, showed strong support through its representative Carlos P. Romulo, who contacted President Manuel Roxas to secure full backing for Korea. However, the United States and the Soviet Union, the dominant powers, initially remained non-committal or indirect. U.S. State Department officials like John M. Allison explicitly told her that the Korean issue was a matter for bilateral discussion between the two powers, not a UN topic, and that they could not help her without authorization from Washington. She protested, stating that if she went to Washington, the Soviets would accuse her of being a US propaganda agent. Soviet officials like Gromyko were initially polite but then canceled meetings, and eventually, UN Secretary-General Trygve Lie advised her that the UN's activities were largely influenced by the two superpowers. Despite these challenges, she garnered support from several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Haiti, and Guatemala. She also warned U.S. State Department officials about the rapid militarization of North Korea by the Soviets, predicting a potential conflict if the Korean issue remained unresolved.
In December 1946, before the UN General Assembly concluded, Syngman Rhee arrived in the U.S. as a special envoy. Im Yeong-sin arranged a meeting between Rhee and Paul-Henri Spaak, though Spaak declined, reportedly due to pressure from major powers to avoid meeting with Rhee. The ongoing political instability in Korea, marked by mass protests around Christmas 1946, prompted Rhee to convene Im Yeong-sin and his key advisors in Washington to strategize. She strongly opposed plans for further large-scale demonstrations in Korea, fearing they would lead to greater casualties and jeopardize U.S. support for Korean independence.
3.2. Ministerial and Legislative Service
Upon the establishment of the Republic of Korea government in August 1948, Im Yeong-sin was appointed the first Minister of Commerce and Industry, a groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to hold a ministerial position in South Korea. During her tenure, in September 1948, she also assumed the presidency of Chung-Ang University after its reorganization.
In November 1948, she played a key role in the formation of the Daehan National Party (대한국민당Korean) by merging the Korean Women's National Party with Ji Cheong-cheon's Daedong Youth Corps and enlisting figures like Yun Chi-young. In 1949, she successfully ran in a by-election for a seat in the Constituent National Assembly in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, making history as the first woman directly elected to the South Korean parliament. This victory was particularly notable as she defeated Jang Taek-sang in a highly publicized contest.
In May 1949, Im Yeong-sin and 18 of her associates, including her secretary, were indicted on charges of embezzlement, bribery, and fraud related to the by-election. While she was acquitted, nine others received suspended sentences. In June 1949, she resigned from her ministerial post to focus on her legislative duties. She was re-elected as a member of the National Assembly in the 1950 South Korean legislative election. In late 1950, she joined the South Korean delegation, led by Im Byeong-jik, Chang Myon, Jang Taek-sang, and Kim Dong-seong, to the 5th United Nations General Assembly in Paris. In 1953, after the death of Lee Hyun-sang, a prominent partisan leader, she, along with Yu Jin-san, identified his body.
In January 1950, she and Yun Chi-young, then Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly, attempted to extend the Acheson Line to the Korean Peninsula but were unsuccessful. In February, she became president of the Sanggong Ilbo newspaper company and left for the United States in June, just before the outbreak of the Korean War. She remained in New York for some time before being urgently summoned back by Syngman Rhee to participate in the wartime cabinet. In 1952, she became the president of Yeoseonggye Sa, actively engaging in the media sector. From January 1959 to April 1960, she also served as the 7th Minister without Portfolio, jointly with Son Do-sim.
3.3. Vice-Presidential Campaigns
Im Yeong-sin sought to ascend to higher national leadership, participating in multiple vice-presidential campaigns during the early years of the Republic of Korea.
In the 1952 vice-presidential elections, she ran as an independent after failing to secure a nomination from the Liberal Party. She finished seventh out of nine candidates, securing 2.7% of the vote. She contested the vice-presidency again in 1956, and a third time in the March 1960 South Korean presidential election, where she finished last among four candidates with less than 1% of the vote. Following the collapse of the Syngman Rhee regime in 1960, she initially continued her activities as an opposition figure. However, after the military coup in 1961, she declared support for the military government.
4. Ideology and Beliefs
Im Yeong-sin's core philosophical underpinnings were shaped by her profound Christian faith, fervent nationalist sentiments, and an unyielding commitment to advancing women's rights and broader social reform in Korea.
4.1. Christian Faith and Nationalism
Born into a devout Protestant family, Im Yeong-sin's Christian beliefs deeply influenced her life and activism. She viewed her pursuit of education and independence as divinely inspired, often stating that God helps those who strive for themselves and others. This strong faith fueled her participation in the March 1st Movement and her unwavering dedication to Korean independence.
She critically compared Korean and Japanese societal ethics, particularly regarding death and nationalism. She noted that Japanese ethics emphasized how to die for the emperor, fostering a culture where sons were taught to kill and die for their nation from childhood. She found this "unethical," remarking on the "shocking" details of their discussions on sexuality as a means to increase human resources for invasion. In contrast, she believed Korean ethics, influenced by Christianity, valued life and self-determination. This stark difference reinforced her conviction that Koreans must resist Japanese subjugation to preserve their national identity and freedom.
4.2. Women's Rights and Social Reform
Im Yeong-sin dedicated her life to promoting women's education and advocating for greater rights and social reform for women in Korea. She believed that education was the key to empowering women and liberating them from the oppressive traditional and imperialistic mindsets. Her efforts began early in her life, challenging traditional marriage customs and advocating for women's access to education.
She actively promoted gender equality, as demonstrated by her successful campaign to abolish the traditional 쓰개치마 (ssugaechima), a veil that she viewed as a symbol of female subjugation and an obstacle to women's participation in society. She argued that maintaining outdated customs would prevent Koreans from living freely. She envisioned a society where women could stand on equal footing with men, not just in the private sphere but also in public life. She often contrasted the traditional roles of Japanese women, who she believed were subservient to men, with her vision for Korean women, who should be strong, independent leaders. Im Yeong-sin argued that while Korean women historically had less political and legal rights, they often wielded significant influence within the household and served as advisors to their husbands, citing historical examples like Queen Seondeok who expanded literature and science. She emphasized the importance of women breaking from outdated customs to secure a free and progressive future for the nation.
5. Personal Life
Im Yeong-sin came from a large family, being the fifth of twelve children born to Im Gu-hwan and Kim Gyeong-sun. Her second elder brother was abducted to North Korea during the Korean War. Her nephew, Im Cheol-sun, the son of her second elder brother, later served as the second president of Chung-Ang University.
In 1937, while in the United States, Im Yeong-sin married Han Sun-gyo. However, their marriage ended shortly after, as she returned to Korea alone in 1940. This experience reportedly had a significant impact on her. There are also unconfirmed accounts that Syngman Rhee proposed marriage to her while she was studying in California, which she is said to have declined, stating her unwavering commitment to the Korean independence movement as her primary focus, "I am already married to the independence movement."
6. Later Life and Death
In the later stages of South Korean political history, Im Yeong-sin maintained her influence and continued to engage in public life. After the May 16th Military Coup in 1961, she publicly expressed strong support for the military government led by Park Chung-hee, alongside figures like Jeong Gu-yeong, Yun Il-seon, and Im Byeong-jik. The Korean Women's National Party, which she had revived, merged with the military government's political faction to form the Reconstruction Party. In 1963, she became a founding member of the Reconstruction Party and later participated in the establishment of the Democratic Republican Party, serving as an advisor to its president. She also publicly condemned opposition parties like the Democratic Party for hindering national affairs through their opposition to the Korea-Japan Treaty in the mid-1960s.
During the Third Republic, she was regarded as a pro-government elder stateswoman and received special consideration from President Park Chung-hee. She was appointed as the first chairperson of the Korean Teachers' Credit Union in 1971. From 1972 to 1976, she served as a delegate and steering committee member of the National Conference for Unification, a pro-government electoral college under the Yushin Constitution.
Im Yeong-sin passed away from illness on February 17, 1977, at the age of 77. Her remains were interred on the campus of Chung-Ang University, a testament to her lifelong dedication to education.
7. Legacy and Evaluation
Im Yeong-sin's historical significance is multifaceted, encompassing her pioneering achievements as well as notable criticisms that marked her extensive career, leaving a lasting influence on Korean society.
7.1. Positive Assessments
Im Yeong-sin is widely recognized for her pioneering roles as an educator and politician in South Korea. She is celebrated as the first female minister and the first woman elected to the National Assembly, breaking significant gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated society. Her founding of institutions that evolved into Chung-Ang University is regarded as a monumental contribution to women's education and national development. Her efforts in the Korean independence movement, particularly her diplomatic work at the United Nations to advocate for Korea's sovereignty, are highlighted as crucial for the nation's early recognition on the international stage. In 2008, for the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea's foundation, she was recognized as one of 32 individuals who laid the groundwork for the nation's democratic future in the cultural, religious, and media sectors.
7.2. Criticisms and Controversies
Despite her celebrated achievements, Im Yeong-sin's career was also marked by significant criticisms and controversies, which have led to a more nuanced evaluation of her legacy.
7.2.1. Notable Criticisms
One major area of criticism concerns her alleged pro-Japanese activities during the colonial era. In December 1941, she participated as a representative of the Central Nursery School in the Chosun Wartime Patriotic Corps (조선임전보국단Korean), an organization that pledged loyalty to Imperial Japan and supported its war efforts. In January 1942, she became a guidance committee member of the corps' women's unit, along with figures like Kim Hwal-ran and Park Sun-cheon. This organization promoted activities such as national defense ideology, family reform, and support for soldiers. In February 1942, she made a radio broadcast advocating for a "decisive battle system in family life" and was also involved in the Chosun Childcare Alliance, another pro-Japanese group.
However, some scholars argue that her pro-Japanese activities were relatively passive compared to others, noting that she did not adopt a Japanese name and her actions might have been influenced by her time in the United States, which allowed her to foresee the outcome of the war between Japan and the U.S. This perspective suggests her involvement was a means of protecting her educational institutions during a harsh colonial period.
Another controversy involved a bribery scandal in 1949 during her by-election campaign for the National Assembly. She and 18 others, including her secretary, were indicted on charges of embezzlement, bribery, and fraud. While Im Yeong-sin herself was acquitted, nine of her associates received suspended sentences. Additionally, rumors of an illicit relationship with Syngman Rhee circulated, exacerbated by earlier reports of Rhee's alleged marriage proposal to her in the U.S., which she denied. These rumors reportedly led to Francesca Rhee, Syngman Rhee's wife, treating her coldly and restricting her access to Rhee's residence.
7.3. Influence on Later Generations
Im Yeong-sin's pioneering spirit, particularly her achievements as the first female minister and elected parliamentarian, laid a significant foundation for future generations of Korean women in politics and public service. Her unwavering advocacy for women's education and her role in establishing Chung-Ang University inspired countless women to pursue higher education and professional careers, contributing to the broader women's rights movement in Korea. Her life demonstrated that women could break traditional barriers and play central roles in nation-building and social reform.
7.4. Contributions to Specific Fields
Im Yeong-sin's contributions spanned several critical fields. In **education**, she was instrumental in founding and developing Chung-Ang University, shaping it into a leading institution. Her vision for women's education was ahead of her time, emphasizing intellectual and professional development beyond traditional roles. In the **women's rights movement**, she actively led organizations like the Korean Women's National Party and the Korean Women's Federation, advocating for legal and social reforms that empowered women. In **national politics**, her ministerial and legislative service, along with her diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, significantly contributed to the early establishment and international recognition of the Republic of Korea. She remained a steadfast political figure, evolving from an independence activist to a key player in the nation's foundational government and later, a supporter of the Park Chung-hee administration.
7.4.1. In Popular Culture
Im Yeong-sin has been portrayed in South Korean dramas. In the 1981 MBC drama The 1st Republic, she was played by Jeong Hye-seon, and in the 2003 SBS drama Rustic Period, she was played by Byeon Sin-ho.
8. Commemoration and Remembrance
Im Yeong-sin has been commemorated through various honors and recognitions. She was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, Republic of Korea Medal, and the Order of Service Merit, Cheongjo Medal, for her distinguished service to the nation. She also received the Eisenhower Award from the United States. Academically, she was granted honorary doctorates from the University of Southern California in 1957, Long Island University in 1962, and Nihon University in 1971. Her enduring legacy in education is physically memorialized by her burial on the campus of Chung-Ang University, the institution she helped establish.
9. Electoral History
| Year | Election | Assembly | Position | Constituency | Party | Votes | Percent | Rank | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | By-election (January 13) | 1st Constituent | Member of Parliament | Andong-eul, Gyeongbuk | Korean Women's National Party | 7,263 | 22.34 | 1st | Elected |
| 1950 | General Election | 2nd National | Member of Parliament | Geumsan-gun, Jeonbuk | Korean Women's National Party | 9,050 | 26.81 | 1st | Elected |
| 1952 | Vice-Presidential Election | 3rd Vice Pres. | Vice President | Nation-wide | Korean Women's National Party | 190,211 | 2.7 | 7th | Lost |
| 1954 | General Election | 3rd National | Member of Parliament | Geumsan-gun, Jeonbuk | Korean Women's National Party | 14,306 | 40.71 | 2nd | Lost |
| 1960 | March 15 Election | 5th Vice Pres. | Vice President | Nation-wide | Korean Women's National Party | 97,533 | 0.9 | 4th | Lost |
| 1972 | NCC Delegate Election | 1st NCC | Delegate of National Conference for Unification | Yeongdeungpo-gu, 4th District | Independent | 7,925 | 27.7 | 1st | Elected |