Independence fighter's great-grandson becomes naval officer

Korean Navy cadet Kim Do-hyun, 28, great-grandson of legendary independence fighter Kim Jwa-jin, poses in front of the minesweeper Hunter Ongjin. Kim will be placed on the ship as a second lieutenant deck officer next month. / Yonhap

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Kim Do-hyun, 28, the great-grandson of legendary independence activist and general Kim Jwa-jin, who led the Korean Independent Army in Manchuria during the Japanese occupation era, will soon become a naval officer.

Kim joined the ROK Navy Cadets on June 11 and is undergoing military training.

He is expected to be commissioned as a second lieutenant deck officer on the ROK Navy minesweeper Hunter Ongjin next month.

A deck officer manages and operates deck equipment including lifesaving gear.

Kim said he grew up listening to the stories of his great-grandfather’s victory in the Qingshanli Battle.

The Battle of Qingshanli was fought over six days in October 1920 when the general lured Japanese soldiers in and attacked them in a densely wooded region of eastern Manchuria called Qingshanli.

Although the Korean force was small, with only 3,000 soldiers, they used guerilla warfare and killed more than 1,000 and wounded some 2,000 Japanese soldiers during the battle.

Kim visited the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, last week and reported his commission to the post before his great-grandfather’s statue.

“It is such a meaningful day for the Navy that the great-grandson of the legendary independence fighter has reported for duty upon the nation’s 70th anniversary of liberation,” said a Navy official.

Majoring in communications at Kyung Hee University, Kim first joined the Army in 2006 and was discharged from his service two years later.

Having a long desire to serve his country like his great-grandfather, Kim joined the Air Force as a sergeant in 2011.

After serving at the Cyber Warfare Command Headquarters, Kim decided to become an officer to command troops like his great-grandfather and joined the Navy.

“I will devote my life to protecting my country like my great-grandfather did long ago,” said Kim.