General Park — FRANKSPARK

Park Won Ho (Won Ho) was born in 1924 in present day North Korea. At the time, Korea was not separated by a North or South border, and was under the rule of Japanese imperialism since officially being annexed on August 22, 1910.

Won Ho was born as the first and only son of a wealthy family who ran a wholesale business supplying Hanji (한지)(traditionally hand-made paper from the bark of a species of Mulberry tree used as wall-paper, windows, and doors, among other uses) , and related products.

As a young teenager, he rode around town on a black horse (cars were nearly non-existent at the time in northern Korea), which was equivalent to driving a luxury car today. One day, a distraught neighbor advised Won Ho’s mother that he was picked up by the Japanese military and put onto a truck. Won Ho had been forcibly conscripted into the Japanese Navy.

Won Ho boarded a small ship and sailed a month and a half to an island in the South Pacific Ocean, notorious for its high casualty rate. He trained and served in the Japanese Navy during this time, but not much else is known. 2 months later on August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies, and Korea gained its independence after 35 years. Won Ho boarded the same ship and sailed the month and a half journey back to Korea.

The Soviet Union had already entered northern Korea as part of their declaration of war against Japan on August 8, 1945. At the Potsdam Conference, The United States and Soviet Union agreed to split Korea into 2 sections at the 38th parallel line, as a temporary trusteeship to oversee the repatriation of the Japanese and facilitate Korea in establishing their own government.

A prominent nationalist and independence activist, Jo Man Shik (조만식), was initially approached by the Soviets to lead their efforts in establishing a new communist government, but it became clear to Soviet officials he would not be their ideal candidate, as he did not align with communist ideology.

Instead, a young Major in the Soviet Army, Kim Song Ju (김성주), who would later take on the pseudonym, Kim Il Sung (김일성), received approval and support from Joseph Stalin to lead the establishment of a communist government in Korea. Kim was Korean and his family had fled to Manchuria to escape Japanese occupation. There he was influenced and picked up on communist ideology. He participated in anti-Japanese guerrilla forces in China, and eventually ended up in Russia, rising to the rank of Major.

Kim Il Sung, supported by the Soviet military, rapidly gained prominence, through manipulation of the masses of impoverished citizens, with promises of Robin Hood-esque distribution of wealth, and political persecution of opposing parties (typically through execution). Citizens were ingrained with the idea that land and business owners were responsible for the economic disparities. Mobs armed with bamboo poles cut at a 45 degree angle went around town brutally killing land and business owners. Jo Man Shik once acknowledged that communism was deadlier, and far worse than Japanese occupation.

Won Ho was arrested while protesting as part of the resistance led by Jo Man Shik against Kim. He was scheduled to be sentenced to death within 3 days. Won Ho’s mother approached the Russian officer in charge of the jail and bribed him with a belt buckle made of solid gold. The officer released Won Ho and advised his mother to get him out of town immediately. Won Ho left that evening and made the long walk to southern Korea.

By this time, Won Ho had married Park Bong Duk and had 2 children. Bong Duk was born in 1924 and also raised in northern Korea. She was an elementary school teacher, and had been the top of her class throughout high school. She received an award from the governor of Pyongyang for her achievements.

Won Ho’s youngest sister came home from school one day and pointed out to her mother of her beautiful new teacher. After verifying this claim, Won Ho’s mother paid a visit to Bong Duk’s mother, to arrange marriage, bringing 5 chickens and some other gifts (an impressive bridewealth). Won Ho and Bong Duk were subsequently married.

*Bong Duk carrying container of water for the family*

Arriving in southern Korea, Won Ho joined the Korean Military Academy, and graduated in the 7th graduating class in 1947. On June 25, 1950, northern Korean communist troops, led by Kim and backed by Soviet tanks and planes, crossed the 38th parallel and invaded southern Korea, initiating the Korean War. Eventually, over a million Chinese soldiers would be sent to assist by Mao Zedong. The Korean and US soldiers ran low on ammunition, eventually resorting to bayonets to defend against the waves of Chinese soldiers.

Aside: Later in life, one of Won Ho’s sons would have a genetic complication resulting in a lack of hair, which Won Ho would regretfully recount as the result of killing a bald Chinese soldier who begged for his life, using a bayonet: “It’s the ghost of that Chinese soldier; I should have spared his life.”

In January of 1951, Bong Duk, accompanied by their 5-year son and infant daughter on her back, made the trek to southern Korea. During the long walk, they encountered a high trestle railroad track. One small misstep would result in falling to their death. Frozen with fear, she noticed a young boy playfully hopping from one step to another. Inspired by this boy, she told her son “take one step when I say so, and do NOT look down”. They safely made it across, one step at a time.

Further along their trek, they noticed some planes on the horizon. The group of refugees walking towards the south exclaimed in joy “hurray it’s the US coming to save us!”. Then, they noticed something falling from the sky with the passing B-29 bombers, “what are those black things falling from the sky?” Unfortunately the B-29 bombers could not differentiate refugees from communist soldiers and sympathizers, who were intermingled amongst each other.

Bong Duk pushed her son into the creek next to the trail and jumped in herself. After the planes had passed, Bong Duk checked herself and her son. There was a hole in her dress between her legs to which she sighed “that was a close one.” Her neighbor pointed out that her infant was bleeding: she had been hit by shrapnel from the bomb. The infant would eventually succumb to her injuries and Won Ho would bury her on a hill after Bong Duk arrived in southern Korea. She was advised to stay home to prevent her from being able to visit the grave, and Won Ho buried the infant and cried while drinking soju.

Despite being the rank of captain, Won Ho was assigned as a regiment commander during the war (traditionally reserved for Colonels), due to the massive casualties of military officers. He went on to serve as regiment commander 5 times in the Korean Army’s III Corps (3군단), then as vice division commander of the 30th division.

The bloody war came to an end on July 27, 1953, with the signing of an armistice: functionally a prolonged cease-fire that persists to this day. There were tens of thousands of remaining communist sympathizers and guerrilla forces that would continue to steal and kill while hiding in the mountains of South Korea (now officially designated as South Korea and North Korea). Won Ho spent the next 8 years leading troops to hunt down these communist guerrilla forces. By this time, he had been promoted from captain to Colonel.

*Won Ho as Colonel is the lowest ranking officer in this photo, but had the highest pay.*

Won Ho was assigned to oversee the operations of the Army’s boot camp located on Jeju Island. One day, a soldier’s parents left a big bag of sugar (a luxury commodity) in front of his home. A note indicated “please take good care of our son”. Upon hearing of this gift, an infuriated Won Ho kicked out Bong Duk indicating “we don’t accept bribes and treat all soldiers the same; don’t even think of coming back home until you return this bag of sugar.” Since Bong Duk did not know who left the bag of sugar, she gave it away to locals at the market.

In Spring of 1961, a younger colleague from the 8th graduating class, Major Kim Jong-Pil (김종필), colloquially referred to as “JP,” nonchalantly asked if Won Ho would be interested in participating in a Coup d'état. Won Ho adamantly rejected and clarified “we’re soldiers, why would we participate in a Coup d'état?!” JP proceeded to place Won Ho under military house arrest, despite Won Ho being a superior ranking officer. Little did he know, JP and his brother in-law, 2 star General Park Chung Hee (박정희) were preparing to implement a government takeover.

The Coup d’etat was scheduled for May 16, 1961. Tanks and troops were positioned to cross the Han River (한강). Park Chun Hee had revealed his plans while unsuccessfully trying to recruit participation from fellow 3 and 4 star generals. He had underestimated their enthusiasm, and now faced arrest by military police and execution. The coup was to be canceled, and a defeated Park Chun Hee headed to a local establishment and started drinking Makkeoli (막걸리)(korean rice wine).

For reasons unknown, the message to cancel the coup never reached the troops standing by at the Han River. The troops proceeded to cross the Han River and successfully captured Seoul. Upon hearing of this news, many of the high ranking officers initially against the coup suddenly made an about face in their decision. Park Chun Hee would eventually assume his role as President of South Korea in 1963, until his assisination in 1979. JP eventually founded and assumed the role of the first Chairman of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA).

The Korean Army submitted Won Ho’s recommendation as top candidate for promotion as a 1-star Brigadier General at least 7 years in a row. Won Ho was overqualified as he had fulfilled the prerequisite of being regiment commander, which he held on 5 different occasions. Each time, JP blocked the approval, as the KCIA were the first to vet the approval process. Won Ho’s friend and colleague, 2 years his junior from the same hometown, had already been promoted to 2-Star Major General and was commanding the Army’s III Corps.

Aside: The Korean Army’s III Corps was revered as they were responsible for border security along the 38th parallel, and had an impressive combat track record against North Korean troops. As such, they were initially selected to deploy to Vietnam.

*Won Ho rockin’ the shades in the III Corps*

*Won Ho and other officers of the III Corps, including the 2 star Major General (1st row right from middle).*

He advised “Won Ho, this administration…they’re not going to promote you.” Korea was about to enter the Vietnam war, and the commander had a brilliant idea. If Won Ho deploys to Vietnam and leads the III Corps’ Tiger Division, the KCIA would be unable to block his promotion upon his return. The decision was made, and Won Ho was ready to go. Won Ho spent a day with his family at a former palace turned into a zoo, as a farewell family day in case he did not return from Vietnam.

As fate would have it, the commander of a separate unit, Chae Myung-shin (채명신), was determined to go to Vietnam. In an effort to persuade the commander of the III Corps (Won Ho’s friend who suggested the idea in the first place), he brought a case of Johnny Walker whiskey, and successfully persuaded the III Corps commander into letting him go “just this once” to Vietnam.

Aside: It was not unusual for military officials during this time to drink cups of liquor, not shot glasses.

Won Ho would no longer be going to Vietnam, as the entire chain of command would be replaced by Chae Myung-shin’s troops. After serving for several more years, Won Ho finally retired in 1968.

*Won Ho and his dedicated driver. The driver volunteered for Vietnam against Won Ho’s recommendations and unfortunately never returned.*

Eventually, Won Ho and his family immigrated to the United States, and settled in San Jose, California. One day, they decided to check out a new Chinese-Korean restaurant. For those that might not be familiar, Chinese-Korean restaurants are Chinese restaurants that specialize in dishes originating from ethnic Chinese living in Korea near the southern port city of Inchon.

After entering the restaurant, Won Ho and the owner recognized each other but couldn’t quite remember from where. Suddenly the owner says “Aren’t you Lt. Colonel Park, who used to bring Major Kim Jong Pil to my restaurant in Daegu?!” It turned out the owner of the restaurant used to run a Chinese-Korean restaurant in Daegu, Korea (대구) called “Asawon,” and Won Ho had frequented with JP when they were stationed at the Army base in Daegu. The two proceeded to catch up over a bottle of liquor and Korean-Chinese dishes.

Aside: This Korean-Chinese restaurant, which was located in San Jose in the 90s, was one of 3 prominent restaurants in the bay area, along with San Wang in San Francisco, and Tsingtao in Campbell (both are still open today). Incidentally, the owner-chefs of all 3 restaurants were trained by the same head chef.

One day in 1993, a package was delivered to Won Ho’s address in San Jose. The new President and government in South Korea were no longer military authoritarian, and instead, civilian based, for the first time in 30 years. Some of Won Ho’s friends, who had since risen to top ranks in their respective branches, or become government ministers, submitted a request to designate Won Ho as an official 1 Star Brigadier General. The new President approved the request, and the package contained the official notification of the designation.

An excited Won Ho put on his old uniform and told Bong Duk and his daughter in law “I need to go back to Korea and lead. These current, fake generals (똥별)(shit stars) have never been in real combat and bought their stars through bribes.”

Won Ho passed away in 1995. He had a stroke while walking to the local asian grocery to buy korean popsicles (하드) for his favorite grandson, who was in 3rd grade at the time. Bong Duk passed away in 2010. Though Won Ho was qualified to be buried at the Korean National Cemetery, he declined stating “I want to be local so my grandchildren can easily visit, plus if I am buried next to my old colleagues, I’ll have to drink with them, in death, after a lifetime of drinking with them while alive”. Won Ho and Bong Duk are survived by 3 daughters, 1 son, 10 grandchildren, and 1 cute great-grandchild.