Im Chung-sik (; April 23, 1922 – December 9, 1974) also spelled translated Yim Chung Sik, was a South Korean general and politician. His service started during the

Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

. His

bongwan Korean clans are groups of Korean people that share the same paternal ancestor. They are indicated by the combination of a ''bongwan'' () and a family name. Korean clans distinguish clans that happen to share the same family name. The ''bongwan' ...

Jangheung Jangheung County () is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Slow city In 2007 Jangheung was designated as a slow city. It was the first slow city designation in Asia. Spot for filming ''Festival'' (1996) was filmed in Jangheung cou ...

Education

Im's graduated from the

Korea Military Academy Korea Military Academy (KMA) is the leading South Korean institution for the education and training of officer cadets for the Republic of Korea Army. Along with the Korea Army Academy (Yeongcheon), it produces the largest number of senior offi ...

(1st alumni) in 1946. He graduated from the

Republic of Korea Army Infantry School Republic of Korea Army Infantry School (육군보병학교) is a college located in Jangseong, South Korea. History The school initially started as a infantry school for the Department of Internal securities during the United States Army Military ...

in 1949 and then after the Korean War graduated from the

United States Army Field Artillery School The United States Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) trains Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems in support of the maneuver commander. The school further devel ...

in 1954. In 1956 Im graduated from the Republic of Korea Army College. He completed further post secondary education at the

Korea National Defense University Korea National Defense University () is a national university located in Nonsan, South Korea. It was founded in 1955. It got its current configuration in 2000. The university was situated in Seoul from its founding until its relocation to Nons ...

with a Bachelor of Public Administration in 1958 and a

Master of Public Administration A Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a specialized professional graduate degree in public administration that prepares students for leadership roles, similar or equivalent to a Master of Business Administration but with an emphasis on the ...

in 1966.

Career

At the beginning of

in 1950 Im was the head of the 18th regiment (lieutenant colonel) for the

Republic of Korea Army The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA; ), also known as the ROK Army or South Korean Army, is the army of South Korea, responsible for ground-based warfare. It is the largest of the military branches of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces with 365,0 ...

(South Korea). He was promoted in 1952 to be division commander of the 7th Division. After the war in 1954 Im became division commander for the ROK Army 2nd Division. In 1960 he moved to the ROK Army Headquarters and in 1962 became the commander of the ROK Army 5th Corps. In 1963 he joined the ROK Department of Defense office and in 1965 was elevated to Army Deputy Chief of Staff He served as Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1967.04 – 1968.08 and then as ROK Minister of National Defense from August 1968-March 1970 Im was a Member of Parliament (The 8th and 9th National Assembly)

Honors

ROK Army The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA; ), also known as the ROK Army or South Korean Army, is the army of South Korea, responsible for ground-based warfare. It is the largest of the military branches of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces with 365,00 ...

: Taegeuk Order of Military Merit (1953) * ROK Army: Ulchi Order of Military Merit * ROK Army: Chungmu Order of Military Merit * ROK Army: Hwarang Order of Military Merit *

US Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...

: Silver Star (1950) * US Army: Legion of Merit (1953)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Im Chung-Shik 1922 births 1974 deaths National defense ministers of South Korea Members of the National Assembly (South Korea) South Korean expatriates in the United States Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea) Burials at Seoul National Cemetery