FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. (Army News Service, March 23, 2009) -Stepping into the conference room unassisted, retired Korean Gen. Paik Sun Yup bowed slightly when introduced, his appearance giving away no hints that he will soon reach his 90th birthday.
Paik conducts himself with such little fanfare that an observer would hardly know he is a legend in his homeland-a national hero in the Republic of Korea.
Arriving in the U.S. March 16, the retired ROK general is visiting the United States in order to participate in the opening of the Korean War Gallery inside the new Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Ga.
A colonel in the ROK Army at the outset of the Korean War and later the first South Korean four-star general, Paik has done his share of soldiering.
As a personal friend and mentor to Gen. Charles C. Campbell, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, a trip to FORSCOM was Paik's first stop.
"He's a national treasure to both the Republic of Korea and the United States," Campbell said of Paik. "We've become good friends over the course of the years, and I've often sought his wise counsel and sage advice."
Paik and Campbell first met in Korea in 2002 when Campbell was the commander for the 8th U.S. Army there. Campbell said Paik has been a consistent and predictable advocate for the ROK-U.S. alliance throughout his career.
"Americans sacrificed nearly 40,000 Soldiers during the Korean War," Paik said. "We greatly admire and appreciate that sacrifice."
Born in 1920 near Pyongyang (now North Korean territory), Paik fled to the South in 1946, aware of the rise in communist power. There he enlisted as a first lieutenant in the South Korean Constabulary, which later became the ROK Army. At age 29 he commanded the ROK Army's 1st Infantry Division, and then participated in all 10 of the major Korean War campaigns, leading to the Armistice in 1953.
After the War's end, Paik served as the ROK Army Chief of Staff, and later as an ambassador to Taiwan, France, Canada and 16 other countries. Paik is also the author of several books including, "From Pusan to Panmunjom," and is currently the president of the Association of the Republic of Korea Army.
"He has an outstanding ability to lead by example," Campbell said. "He models and lives many of the values we hold dear in the U.S. Army."
Other stops on Paik's visit to the U.S. include a lunch with Korean Americans in Atlanta, a parade field dedication and graduation at Fort Benning and a dedication ceremony for the 2nd Infantry Regiment Gallery.
Paik said he is thankful to U.S. Soldiers throughout the world, and said the Republic of Korea will continue to cooperate with the U.S. and United Nations.
"He's a wonderful role model," Campbell said of Paik. "It shows he has a great regard for American Soldiers to travel all this way."
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