Chairman Park Han-ki and Commander Abrams Visit General Baek's Funeral Hall

On the 12th, citizens paying their respects at the public condolence altar for the late General Baek Seon-yeop set up at Gwanghwamun Square, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] General Park Han-ki, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Robert Abrams, Commander of the United States Forces Korea (Commander of the United Nations Command), jointly visited the funeral hall of General Paik Sun-yup (Retired Army General) on the 13th to pay their respects.

At around 2:45 p.m. that day, Chairman Park and Commander Abrams visited General Paik’s funeral hall set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to console the bereaved family. Commander Abrams wrote in the guestbook, "On behalf of the United Nations Command, I express my deepest condolences to the family of General Paik Sun-yup." After offering incense, Chairman Park and Commander Abrams saluted together toward General Paik’s portrait.

Commander Abrams comforted the family, saying, "General Paik was the 'heart' and 'soul' of the ROK-US alliance. We deeply appreciate his service," and added, "He was a remarkable person, and I offer my sincere condolences." When reporters asked him to say a few words, Commander Abrams left the funeral hall without responding.

After paying respects, Chairman Park told reporters, "The General saved the Republic of Korea when it was on the brink of destruction and was the commander who led the entry into Pyongyang," adding, "We will carry on his will and maintain a firm military readiness posture."

Chairman Park and Commander Abrams then moved to a meeting room, spoke with the bereaved family for 15 minutes, and left the funeral hall.

On the third day since the funeral hall was set up, condolences continued from various sectors. Former Defense Ministers Kim Kwan-jin and Lee Sang-hee, former Future Korea Party leader Won Yoo-chul, Lieutenant General Nam Young-shin, Commander of the Army Ground Operations Command, Kim Jin-ho, President of the Veterans Association, Park Ji-man, Chairman of EG, Kim Shin-jo, a former North Korean infiltrator, and others visited the funeral hall that day. Chung Eui-sun, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, Chung Mong-joon, Chairman of the Asan Foundation, and Huh Chang-soo, former Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, also paid their respects.