By A group of USFK KATUSA soldiers were lucky enough to listen to address from ROK Army Korean War hero, General Paik Sun-yup:
“Our people must not forget that during the Korean War both Korean and US soldiers fought to protect this land under a blood alliance. This is what I want to say as an old soldier that I am now.”
Retired ROK General Paik Sun-yup (88) made latest comments during a special lecture held on October 29th marking the USFK Eighth Army Korean Forces Support Group’s 58th anniversary of the KATUSA system and the 44th anniversary of its formal establishment.
At the Yongsan Garrison’s Balboni Theater, General Paik lectured for an hour and a half to some 450 KATUSA soldiers. The General described in details of his experience in the Korean War and repeatedly stressed the importance of ROK-US alliance. In particular, General Paik vividly described his experience in taking charge of the ROK Army during the war to turn around an adverse situation in the Daboodong Battle. [Korea Defense Daily]
I had a chance to speak with General Paik a few years back during an Officer Professional Development opportunity and was quite impressed. He even signed the book he wrote that I brought with me. The guy is literally living history considering all the famous Generals and people that he has interacted with over the years and his incredible combat experience during the Korean War.
For those that haven’t already, I highly encourage reading General Paik’s excellent book From Pusan to Panmunjom that provides a unique view of the Korean War since it is written from the perspective of a ROK Army commander. It is definitely one of the better books written about the Korean War.
8:47 pm on November 19th, 2008 1
I had a chance to visit him at his house years back and speak to him at some length. What a character! What a mensch!
Not only did he strike me as a courageous and honorable old warrior, he was also hearty, warm, cheerful and very quick to appreciate modern idiosyncracies. He was unlike any other ROK general I ever met.
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8:55 pm on November 19th, 2008 2
GI,
I wonder what GEN Paik thought about current OPCON Transfer issue. Is he one of the “Grey Beard” General Officers who does not support the OPCON transfer? I remembered that there were many retired Generals and Colonels who were demonstrating against President Roh’s OPCON transfer proposal last year.
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6:41 am on November 20th, 2008 3
I haven’t seen General Paik’s name come up in regards to the OPCON transfer. Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if he was against it though like the other retired generals that came out against it.
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8:54 pm on November 20th, 2008 4
GI,I read his book, damn good book, once you start you are bound to finish it that day.
Did you know that he has a lesser know brother that was also a kick ass Commander. I believe his name is Paik In Yup.
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8:01 am on November 21st, 2008 5
Bones,
Can’t you imagined that you are only 29 or 27 years old Colonel in command of an infantry division? I was only 1LT in US Army as Platoon Leader/Company XO when I was 27. These two brothers overcame so much obstacles during the war to fight for their country.
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7:39 pm on December 2nd, 2008 6
[...] Sun Yup, Chief of Staff, Republic of Korea Army, …korea50.army.mil/history/biographies/paik.shtmlGeneral Paik Sun-yup Addresses KATUSA SoldiersNov 19, 2008 … A group of USFK KATUSA soldiers were lucky enough to listen to address from ROK [...]
9:34 pm on April 1st, 2009 7
General Paik Sun Yup is my hero. I’ve read everything I can about him. I know he speaks Chinese and Japanese, but I cannot figure out when he learned English. Does anyone know?
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February 9th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I believe he learned English while interacting with US officers and US advisors during the Korean war.
He is quite a person. I read he met Kim Il-Sung of North Korea (in passing) before Korea was separated. He also worked as ambassador for South Korea and held quite a few high level position both in public and private organization in S Korea but no rumor of any corruption related to him was ever mentioned. Quite an achievement in that regard too.
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