Kim Jong-pil

Kim Jong-pil was born in Fuyo-gun, Chūseinan-dō. He was educated as Hwangukshinmin seosa 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 US in 1951 and participated in the Korean War as an intelligence officer of the Republic of Korea Army.

After the April Revolution, a citizens' and students' uprising against the Syngman Rhee dictatorship and election fraud 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 eighteen years presidency until assassination in 1979.

In 1962, he concluded the diplomatic relationship with Japan following the conclusion of Imperial Japanese rule of Korea. Japanese rule of Daeil Cheongoogwon was used as seed money for economic development of Pohang Steel and the Gyeonbu Expressway to achieve the Miracle on the Han River. 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). 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 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, which 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 National Congress for New Politics, 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 Dae-jung 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.

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]

He is the 12nd generation descendant of Kim Ye-jik[lower-alpha 1], a military officer who served at Injo Coup in 1623 during the early Joseon period, and a younger brother of Royal Noble Consort Gongbin. Both are children of Kim Hui-Cheol[lower-alpha 2], known as Internal Prince Haeryeong[lower-alpha 3], the Musin who was killed during the Imjin War in 1592. Hui-Cheol is great-grandson of Kim Young-jeong[lower-alpha 4], both of them were civil ministers also during early Joseon period. Kim Young-Jeong is the 7th generation descendant of Kim Mok-kyung[lower-alpha 5], the ancestor of the Gyeong branch of Gimhae Kim clan and the Samjungdaegwang during the reign of King Chunghye of Goryeo. Their lineage can be traced back to Kim Sam-kwang[lower-alpha 6] who was the son of Kim Yu-sin. This makes him a descendant of the royal family of Geumgwan Gaya.

This fact is also revealed in the 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]

On February 15, 1951, Kim married Park Young-ok (October 30, 1929 – February 21, 2015), who was President Park Chung-hee's niece.[7]

Kim died on June 23, 2018, at Shindangdon Northern Seoul at the age of 92. His state funeral was held on June 24, 2018, and he was buried alongside his wife.[8]

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]

• Politics of South Korea