Kim Jong-pil
Kim Jong-pil (Korean pronunciation: [kimdʑoŋpʰil]; January 7, 1926 – June 23, 2018) was a South Korean politician and founder of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (the KCIA, now the National Intelligence Service), who served as Prime Minister twice, from 1971–1975 during the presidency of Park Chung-hee (1961–1979) and from 1998–2000 during presidency of Kim Dae-jung (1998–2002).
Kim Jong-pil | |
---|---|
김종필 | |
![]() Kim in 1999 | |
9th Prime Minister of South Korea | |
In office June 4, 1971 – December 18, 1975 | |
President | Park Chung-hee |
Preceded by | Baek Du-jin |
Succeeded by | Choi Kyu-hah |
In office March 3, 1998 – January 12, 2000 | |
President | Kim Dae-jung |
Preceded by | Goh Kun |
Succeeded by | Park Tae-joon |
Personal details | |
Born | Buyeo County, Japanese Korea | January 7, 1926
Died | June 23, 2018 92) Seoul, South Korea | (aged
Political party | Liberty Korea Party |
Other political affiliations | United Liberal Democrats (1996–2006) Democratic Republican (1963–1980) |
Spouse(s) | Park Young-ok
(m. 1951; died 2015) |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Korean Military Academy |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1949–1961 |
Rank | Brigadier General |
Korean name | |
Hangul | |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Gim Jong-pil |
McCune–Reischauer | Kim Chongp'il |
Pen name | |
Hangul | |
Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Unjeong |
McCune–Reischauer | Unjŏng |
Early life
Kim Jong-pil was born in Buyeo County, Chungcheongnam-do. He was educated as Hwangukshinmin seosa (황국신민서사) education victim of Japanese imperial rule from the age of 8 until he was 19, when Japanese rule was suppressed. He graduated from the Korea Military Academy in 1949 (KMA class No. 8). He studied in the USA in 1951 and participated in the Korean War as an intelligence officer of the Republic of Korea Army.
Political career
After 4.19 citizen & students uprising against President Rhee dictatorship and illegal poll in 1960, he participated in the May 16 coup led by Major General Park Chung-hee in 1961 and served in several high-profile offices, including Chairman of the ruling Democratic Republican Party during Park's presidency eighteen years until assassination in 1979.
In 1962, he concluded the diplomatic relationship with Japan (한일수교) after Imperial Japanese rule of Korea (1910–1945). Japanese rule of Daeil Cheongoogwon (대일청구권) was used as seed money for economic development of Pohang steel and Gyeonbu expressway to achieve Han river economic miracle. The poverty of 60 dollars income to 30,000 dollars strong economy of South Korea. Income went from 60 South Korean won to 30,000 South Korean won, representing a strong economy.
In 1963, he founded the Democratic Republican Party (South Korea) (민주공화당). From 1971 to 1975, he served as Prime Minister of South Korea. He assumed the same position from 1998 to 2000.
The outline of Kim Jong-pil's positions hardly describes the skill of the politician in navigating the complexities of the South Korean politics. Scholars note that he mastered the art of political coalitions. This is demonstrated in the way he was able to reemerge politically stronger after suffering various political setbacks. For instance, by October 1997, Kim Jong-pil's popularity had fluctuated hovering between 2.9 percent and 4.6 percent and this was attributed to his reputation as a previous coup instigator.[1] This was further aggravated by the conservative party's image problem, which was identified with old politicians who have ethical flaws.
Through clever political maneuvering, however, Kim Jong-pil struck a power-sharing deal with Kim Dae-jung's NCNP party, which allowed him to choose half of the prime ministers (국무총리) 2nd top cabinet members of the Kim Dae-Jung administration as DJP Yenjeong (DJP연정).[2] The deal also included his nomination as acting prime minister in March 1998, then prime minister months later during Kim Daejung president period of 1998–2002.
In 2004, he announced his retirement from politics after his bid for a tenth term in the National Assembly failed and his party, the United Liberal Democrats, was unable to gain a sizable number of seats in the 2004 parliamentary election. The party later merged into Grand National Party.
Scouting
He served as Korea Scout Association President until June 6, 1969. In 1967 he received the highest distinction of the Scout Association of Japan, the Golden Pheasant Award.[3]
Ancestry
In a 2001 sentimental letter written to Bhimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, a king of erstwhile Ayodhya state with a history of 200 years old, Kim talked about his March 2001 visit to India. He mentioned it "remained very meaningful to me" as it "fulfilled his desire to visit Ayodhya, a princess of which became the queen of King Suro of Gaya and Heo Hwang-ok. I am the 72nd generation descendant of the King Kim Suro of the Garak Kingdom."[4]
Kim was amongst more than a hundred historians and government representatives, including the North Korean ambassador to India, and an 18-member delegation from South Korea – led by former Gimhae Mayor Song Eun-bok[5] – composed of prominent industrialists who inaugurated a memorial to their royal ancestor, Queen Hwang Huh on the west bank of the River Sarayu. The monument was built using a three-metre high stone weighing 7,500 kg, specially shipped from South Korea.[6]
Private life
On February 15, 1951, Kim married Park Young-ok (October 30, 1929 – February 21, 2015), who died on February 21, 2015 from urethral cancer, aged 85. Park was President Park Chung-hee's niece.[7]
Kim died on June 23, 2018, at Shindangdon Northern Seoul at the age of 92. His tomb of Gamyo (가묘 치표) was made at Wuisan Western Buyeo of his hometown along with Park Young-ok, cousin of president Park Chung-hee in 2015. Park Chung-hee 3rd uncle & revered by President Park: Park, Sanghee's daughter recommended by President Park's Joongmae (중매) tradition in South Korea.
His state funeral was held on June 24, 2018.[8]
Quotes
His words:
Politics are Heo-up (허업: futile works). The business men are Silup-ga(실업가), who takes his work fruits. But, Politician is Heop ga(허업가), whose fruit must be given to people. Fruits of politics were given to citizens. If it's taken by politicians, Politician's destiny is in jail.
Human being's death is truth. But, Everybody does not prepare their death even though they prepare for winter. (for preparing his tombstone monument inscription after his wife's death in 2015. Contents Soee budap(Just smile, No response) poem in his hometown of Buyeo, The Baekje kingdom capital.
Jawuiban Tawuiban: half my will Half others will.[9][10][11]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kim Jong-pil. |
- Oh, Kongdan (2016). Korea Briefing: 1997–1999: Challenges and Changes at the Turn of the Century. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781315291918.
- Kim, Youngmi (2011). The Politics of Coalition in Korea: Between Institutions and Culture. London: Routledge. p. 53. ISBN 9780415562157.
- reinanzaka-sc.o.oo7.jp/kiroku/documents/20140523-3-kiji-list.pdf
- "South Korea's Ayodhya connection" "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "A Princess from Ayodhya" "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "South Korea's Ayodhya connection" "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- http://m.Koreatimes.co.Kr/phone/news/view.jsp?req_newsidx=173872
- http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180624000207#cb
- Former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil dies
- https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/former-south-korean-prime-minister-kim-jong-pil-dies
- https://news.am/eng/news/458256.html
Preceded by Baek Du-jin |
Prime Minister of South Korea June 4, 1971–December 18, 1975 |
Succeeded by Choi Kyu-ha |
Preceded by Goh Kun |
Prime Minister of South Korea (Acting) 1998 |
Succeeded by Kim Jong-pil |
Preceded by Kim Jong-pil (Acting) |
Prime Minister of South Korea August 18, 1998–January 12, 2000 |
Succeeded by Park Tae-Joon |