Domestic and International Security Officials' Messages of Condolence for General Baek Sun-yeop (Comprehensive)

On the 12th, citizens visiting the public condolence altar for the late General Baek Seon-yeop set up at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are paying their respects. Photo by Moon Honam 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.

Chairman Park and Commander Abrams visited General Paik’s funeral hall, set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, at around 2:45 p.m. that day 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 man, 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 the General’s 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, Chairman of the Veterans Association, Park Ji-man, Chairman of EG, Kim Shin-jo, a former North Korean spy, 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.

The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) issued a statement mourning the late General Paik Sun-yup (retired Army General).

On the 12th (local time), the NSC posted on its official Twitter account, "South Korea has become a prosperous democratic republic today thanks to Paik Sun-yup and other heroes who gave everything to repel communist aggression in the 1950s," expressing its respect. Along with the statement, the NSC shared a photo of the English memoir cover of General Paik titled "From Busan to Panmunjom: The Wartime Memoirs of Korea’s First Four-Star General."

In addition, former commanders of the United States Forces Korea also mourned General Paik through Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts. General Burwell Bell, who served until 2008, compared General Paik to George Washington, a founding hero of the United States, and mourned him as "the father of the Korean Army." Former Commander James Thurman said, "General Paik understood well what the values of freedom and sacrifice mean," stating that General Paik left an eternal legacy. Former Commander Vincent Brooks expressed his respect, saying, "General Paik’s passing is a great loss to the ROK-US alliance and the disappearance of a part of history."