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Monday is the 57th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. Despite the elapse of nearly six decades, Paik Sun-yup (87) is often mentioned a war hero not only in the country but also in the United States and Japan. The veteran still participates in major events involving the Korean War without fail. In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo at the Korean War Memorial in Yongsan, Seoul on Friday, Gen. Paik said, "So long as the Kim Jong-il regime exists, we must not forget the Korean War."
These days, many don't even know when the Korean War broke out.
As the Korean War approaches its 60th anniversary in three years, it¡¯s in a way natural for young people not to know that. But given the particular nature of the Korean Peninsula and the fact that we are technically at war, however, the young should have been better educated. So long as the Communist North Korean system and the Kim Jong-il regime exist, we must not forget it.
Explain the characteristics of the Korean War.
Many understand the Korean War was a war with Kim Il-sung or North Korea alone. Except for the first year, Kim Il-sung played only a supporting role in the second and third years. The Korean War consisted of two wars: one against Kim Il-sung and the other against Communist Chinese forces. The ringleaders were Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong and Kim Il-sung. Stalin provided the weapons and Mao 2 million troops.
You established the record of becoming the first and youngest four-star general of the South Korean forces at the age of 33.
I became a general on Jan. 31, 1953 when I was 33 years old. President Syngman Rhee told me, ¡°You have become the first general today. In ancient times, the king alone was general and there was no general among his subjects. Note that we now live in a republic.¡± At the time I didn't fully understand the meaning. But looking at our history later, I found it was true.
Many appear to feel that North Korea will find it difficult to provoke war because of its economic woes.
As can be seen in Kim Jong-il's regular inspection tours of the military, and few tours elsewhere, the North, through its Songun or military-first, maintains a general state of national mobilization. Don't we, too, keep a 24-hour-a-day guard along the armistice line to confront North Korea? That situation is unique to Korea in the world. We shouldn't forget this and watch North Korea¡¯s actions with caution.
You took part in rallies last year opposing our retrieval of wartime operational control of troops.
On wartime operational control, a 10-million signature collection campaign is now underway and enjoys positive public support. The existing Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command is an excellent system. With the American commanding general exercising operational control, we can if necessary call in the U.S. Seventh Fleet and generally mobilize U.S. air force and even ground forces. We should keep that system.
We understand the U.S. Forces Korea has an award named after you.
The Paik Sun-yup Award is given to exemplary KATUSA (Korean augmentation troops to the U.S. Army) soldiers every three months.
As a kind of legend in the armed forces, you are often mentioned as an example of leadership.
A leader must have courage, a sense of responsibility and strong values; but the basis of leadership is trust. Trust must be established; without mutual trust nothing can be done. In a word, leadership exists in a relationship of trust in which each does his or her best. Leadership is bilateral, not unilateral.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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