‘Korean first 4-star General’ Baek Sun-yup buried

Political figures attended but, ruling party leadership. "Please put down your heavy luggage and go to sleep." said Army Chief of Staff Seo Wook. Tension between groups for and against the cemetery...the deployment of 420 polices

2020-07-15     조민영 기자

General Baek Sun-yup was buried in the 2nd cemetery of the Daejeon National Cemetery in Gap-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on July 15, 2020.

General Baek's last suit was made similar to the combat uniform worn by the U.S. military during the Korean War.

The burial ceremony at Daejeon National (Memorial) Cemetery 2nd General Graveyard was held in the order of the respectful treatment, starting with Opening remarks, Salutes to the fallen, Eulogy, Flower laying/license, Laying of the coffin, Burial/soil covering ceremony, Gun salute/moment of silence, Remarks from the CSA, and Closing remarks.

The burial ceremony was attended by his bereaved family, Army Chief of Staff Suh Wook, Combined Forces Commander Robert Abrams, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris, the Voice of Korea (preparatory generals), and former chiefs of staff.

Many political figures, including Kim Byung-joon, former interim leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, and former lawmakers, also showed their faces. The ruling party leadership did not attend.

"General Baek always took the lead in the front line to save the Republic of Korea in every crisis, and he devoted his life to strengthening the nation, the U.S.-Korea alliance and security," said Kim Pan-gyu, a former Army chief of staff who attended the memorial service. "Please don't even dream of anything you couldn't. Those who remain and those who are younger will make sure to make it happen," he said.

Army soldiers and the eight people, participated after the participants' offering, spread some soil from eight locations in the 6.25 battleground, including Dabudong, North Gyeongsang Province on the coffin of General Baek, in order to "want to be with his fallen comrades" during his lifetime.

Seo said, "You will be smiling happily in the presence of your beloved comrades," and added, "Please put down your heavy luggage and go to sleep," “our juniors won't forget, either."

Meanwhile, tention was created in front of the Daejeon Memorial Park as some physical conflicts took place with the confrontation between groups for and against General Baek's saddle. He was also seen being stopped by the police while trying to stop the funeral car from entering the memorial hall.

Police mobilized 420 personnel to prepare for any eventualities.

General Baek died on the 10th at the age of 100. He was promoted to the Frank of Army General in 1953 at the age of 33, because the first four-star general in the history of the South Korean military.