General Kim Jong-oh was a tiny man. Old photographs show that his four stars had to be squished together in order to fit on his narrow shoulders... But, despite his diminutive stature, he was one of the finest military figures our peninsula has ever produced.
During the Korean War, General Kim was the commander of the 6th infantry division, which was charged with the responsibility of defending a 90-kilometer front that stretched along the 38th parallel, from Chuncheon to the eastern coast.
On Saturday, June 24, 1950, the eve of the Korean War, several high-ranking officers attended a big party to drink whiskey and celebrate the opening of a new officers' club. General Kim was invited, but he did not attend because there was a high probability that North Korean forces would attack, and he wanted to be ready. He took his responsibilities extremely seriously.
The next morning, North Korea attacked. Many officers were too drunk or hung-over to control their soldiers. Military police officers blasted anxious announcements from megaphones outside their quarters, but there was no response. They were dead asleep.
Needless to say, General Kim Il-sung (leader of the North Korean army) had very little trouble breaking through the South Korean defensive line along most of the 38th parallel. But the 90 km front defended by the 6th infantry stood strong. It was our first victorious battle of the Korean War.
General Kim did a good job.
Because the front from Chuncheon to the eastern coast could not be overcome, Kim Il-sung was forced to divide his front line. The western half proceeded to Seoul, but the eastern half was stuck at the 38th parallel. Kim Il-sung decided to wait in Seoul for three days, until his east wing was able break through and form a single line along the Han River.
The decision to wait in Seoul proved to be one of the worst decisions Kim Il-sung ever made. The three-day window of opportunity gave US forces stationed in Japan enough time to reach Busan and drive North Korean forces out of Seoul. If Kim Il-sung hadn't waited, he could have advanced to Busan, blocked the arrival of US troops and seized the entire peninsula with relative ease.
To make a long story short: If General Kim hadn't done such an excellent job, the outcome of the Korean War could have been quite a bit different.
There are five essential factors that explain General Kim's success.
- 1) Intelligence and knowledge: Before a battle he would tour the battlefield himself so that he could give precise orders and devise detailed strategies. He utilized insights gained form direct experience.
- 2) Credibility: He commanded his troops' absolute respect. His wife once came to him during a battle in order to deliver some clean underwear, but he sent her away immediately. He knew that many of his soldiers would like to spend time with their families, and he didn't think it was fair that he should receive any comforts that his troops were denied.
- 3) Love: He always maintained an excellent relationship with his men, and they were willing to do anything for him. The strength of this relationship enabled him to motivate his soldiers to work together to realize common goals. (As we know, when many men work toward a common dream, it becomes reality.)
- 4) Exceptional bravery: He stood strong in the face of a far greater military power.
- 5) Strict professionalism: He always put his military duties above his personal affairs.
When Park Jung-hee's regime came to power after the Korean War, they gave General Kim a ceremonial position without any real power and tried to brush him under the carpet as best they could. They didn't want to give him any more credit than was absolutely necessary for fear that his influence and reputation might represent a threat to their authority in the future... They were jealous.
General Kim died when he was forty-five. His funeral service was simple and wholly unremarkable. There was no sign of the pageantry or honors that usually accompany the death of a great national hero. Today, he is all but forgotten.
This month, as we commemorate the sacrifices made by our forefathers during times of war, I suggest that it is appropriate to begin a historical reassessment of the accomplishments of General Kim Jong-oh. He should be remembered forever-in our hearts and official records-as one of the greatest military leaders in Korean history.
Profile of Yeo Ho-young
Born on May 6, 1950 in Busan
Carnegie Mellon University MSE (Master of Software Engineering) special course, 2000.
Software Engineering Ph.D award at Soongsil Univ. Seoul, 1999
Civil Engineering Undergrad at Korea University, 1977
Information System PE, 1991
Hanyang Corporation (construction business computing service) 1976- 1986
Hynix (System integration business) 1986-1990
Global Intellectual Service Co. (SE consulting) founder/CEO 1991- now
APEC Engineer Committee Chairman of Korean PE Association
Teaching Professor on Software Engineering at Korea Univ. computer information and communication, 2002- present
Received Software Industry Recognition by the Ministry of Information and Communication, Korea, 2002
Received the Contribution on Japan-Korea PE society relations by the Chairman of JPEA, 2009
Who'sWho charted 2009 as Ho-Young Yeo
