SEOUL -- Eighth Army named its mobile operational command post after the Republic of Korea Army's first four-star general, here, June 17. During a ceremony, Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson announced that it will be called the Gen. Paik Sun-yup Command Post. A Korean War hero who became the Republic of Korea Army's first four-star general, Paik briefed the staff at the old Eighth Army headquarters on the former campus of Seoul National University.
The command post is part of Eighth Army's transformation from an Army Service Component Command to a Field Army capable of commanding multinational corps-level combat formations. During the Korean War, Paik visited the old headquarters where former Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. James Van Fleet led ground combat operations before the storied formation moved to its current headquarters on Yongsan Garrison.
The ROK Army general chronicled his Korean War service in his memoir "From Pusan to Panmunjom."
During the briefing, Paik described the major battles he participated in during Korean War from the Nakdong River to the Yalu River. He also talked about the larger-than-life leaders he served with during the war.
During his time in the ROK Army, Paik commanded the 5th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, 1st Infantry Division, I Corps, II Corps, First ROK Army, ROK Army and ROK Armed Forces. After retiring from the ROK Army, Paik also served as South Korea's ambassador to Taiwan in 1960, France in 1961 and Canada in 1965. Later, as Minister of Transportation, helped launch construction of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway System.
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