Former Defense Minister Kim Sung-eun

By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

Former Defense Minister Kim Sung-eun died at the Severance Hospital in Seoul on Tuesday. He was 83.

Kim served as the 4th commander of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps from 1960 and 1962 and retired as lieutenant general.

Kim received 19 military decorations for his achievements during the 1950-53 Korean War and outstanding leadership as the ROK Marine, nicknamed ``Ghost Buster.''

Serving as the defense chief from 1963 to 1968, he laid the groundwork for building ``self-reliant'' defense capabilities through active arms introduction plans and inaugurated the country's Reserve Force.

Kim is survived by five sons and one daughter.

A funeral service will be held at the Shinil Church in Shindang-dong, Seoul, on May 18. His body will be buried at the National Cemetery in Daejeon.

For more information, call Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul, at 02-3010-2000.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr