Park Han-ki (Korean: 박한기) is a South Korean general who served as the 41st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces from October 11, 2018, to September 23, 2020. Prior to his appointment, he held various positions in the Republic of Korea Army, such as the former commander of the 2nd Operational Command, the I Corps and the VIII Corps.[1]

Park Han-ki
Gen. Park Han-ki in 2019
Born (1960-01-16) January 16, 1960 (age 64)
Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea
Allegiance South Korea
Service / branch Republic of Korea Army
Years of service1983-2020
Rank General
CommandsChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2nd Operational Command, ROKA
I Corps, ROKA
VIII Corps, ROKA
Chief of Operations (G3)
53rd Infantry Division, II Corps, ROKA

Early life and education

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He was born on January 16, 1960, in Buyeo County, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. He was a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at the University of Seoul and was commissioned as second lieutenant in 1983 after graduating.[2] He also completed programs in KAIST in 2010, and in Ajou University in 2017.[1]

Career

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Park with Joseph Dunford at The Pentagon in 2018.

Park held various commands and positions in the South Korean Army, such as the 1st Battalion Commander of the 102nd Regiment, 17th Infantry Division in 1997, became Head of the 99th Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division in 2006, and served as the 2nd Operation Command Planning and Organization Director in 2008. He also served as the Chief of Staff, 1st Corps in 2010 and served as an Army Student Military School Professor in 2011.

He became the Commander of the 53rd Infantry Division in 2012 and Commander of the VIII Corps in 2015, as well as became Operations Officer of the Army (G3), became Chief of Staff of the 1st Corps; and became Commander of the 2nd Operational Command in Daegu in 2018, before becoming the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2018.[2] He formally retired in the military on September 23, 2020, after being replaced by Gen. Won In-choul.

Park is married to Chung Hee-li and they have two daughters.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Profile". ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b Herald, The Korea (5 October 2018). "Military chief nominee vows full combat readiness amid changing security conditions". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
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Military offices
Preceded by
Park Chan-ju
Commander of the 2nd Operational Command
2017–2018
Succeeded by
Hwang In-kwon
Preceded by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2018–2020
Succeeded by