Kang Mun-bong
| Kang Mun-bong | |
|---|---|
 Lt. Gen. Kang Mun-bong in 1954 | |
| Born |
October 26, 1923 South Hamgyong Province, Korea, Empire of Japan |
| Died |
February 26, 1988 (aged 64) Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 강문봉 |
| Hanja | 姜文奉 |
| Revised Romanization | Gang Munbong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kang Munbong |
Kang Mun-bong (October 26, 1923 – February 26, 1988) was a South Korean military officer. He knew a great deal about Korean history, specifically as it pertains to the military.[1]
Kang takes credit for lessening the North Korean army's defenses by deflecting the army to the Honam area.[1]
He was well known and highly regarded as a hero after the Korean War.[1] However, due to corruption and conspiracy charges, he was forced to live the final days of his life in the United States.[2]
Early life
He was born October 26, 1923 in Korea during the Japanese colonial period in South Hamgyong Province, which is now part of North Korea.[2]
Career
Korean War
In 1952, Kang became the commander of the ROK 1st division[3] and he achieved the rank of major general during the Korean War. He was in charge of reforming the III Corps in 1953. Kang was then trained under the US Army X Corps. When the US X Corps pulled out, Kang and his men were in charge of defending key areas in the war. They were responsible for defending the area from the Punchbowl to the Pukhan River.[3]
Trial for conspiracy
Even though Kang played a large role in the Republic of Korean Army's general staff as their chief of operations,[3] there was suspicion relating to his involvement in Kim Chang-Yong's assassination[1] and other NDC corruption charges. Kang was put on trial Taegu where he was found guilty and sentenced to death.[3] However, this sentence was changed due to his success and influence in the Korean War.[1] He was later liberated from prison[3] after the April Revolution. Kang never confessed to participating in the assassination of Kim Chang-Yong, regardless of the court's decision[1]
Accomplishments
After his liberation from prison, Kang moved to the United States and attended George Washington University for a few years.[1]
While serving his life sentence, he wrote a book about his life called A Study on the top Korean military leadership during the Korean War which was then published in Seoul in 1983. This contains the most information about his life, but it was not widely circulated.[2]
Death
Kang died February 26, 1988 in Dallas, Texas.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Wisdom of Korea". ysfine.com. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
- 1 2 3 전시 한국군 주요 지휘관의 통솔에 관한 연구 [Chŏnsi Han'gukkun chuyo chihwigwan ŭi tʻongsol e kwanhan yŏnʼgu / A Study on the top Korean military leadership during the Korean War]. Seoul. 1983. OCLC 21342043.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Paik, Sun-yup (2011-09-01). From Pusan to Panmunjom. Potomac Books, Inc. ISBN 9781597974837.