Ex-General Chang dies at 79

By Kim Young-jin

Staff reporter

Chang Tae-wan, a former military commander who opposed the Dec. 12, 1979 coup led by former General Chun Doo-hwan, died of complications due to chronic illness, Monday. He was 79.

Due to his resistance to the illegal military takeover, Chang, then commander of the Capital Defense Command, was forced to step down after Chun rose to power following the assassination of former President Park Chung-hee.

Chang’s reputation was restored years later, when the “12.12” incident became recognized as an illegal seizing of power, and was regarded as an exemplary model for those in the military ever since. In 1994, he was elected as president of the Korea Veterans Association.

In March 2000, the longtime military man entered the political realm, joining the then-ruling Democratic Party (DP). He was elected to the National Assembly on its ticket later that year.

Chang eventually became a member of the party’s decision-making Supreme Council and served as special presidential adviser on veterans affairs during the Roh Moo-hyun administration.

Chang underwent an operation last year for lung cancer, from which he never fully recovered.

An altar has been established for him at the Asan Medical Center in southern Seoul. He is survived by his wife, Lee Byung-ho, and one daughter.