The Republic of Korea Marine Corps announced that Kim Myung-hwan, the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General, died on the 20th. He was 80 years old.
The late Kim was born in Seoul in 1946 and was commissioned through the 22nd class of the Korea Naval Academy. He served as commander of the Yeonpyeong Unit, the 6th Brigade, and the 2nd Division, as well as director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Combat Readiness Inspection Office. He concluded his 33-year military career after serving as the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and Commander of the Combined Marine Forces Command, retiring as a Marine Corps lieutenant general.
After his military service, he served as president of the Marine Corps Veterans Association, visiting professor at Dankook University, Sogang University, and Baekseok University, and president of the Korea Freedom Federation.
As a platoon leader in the Blue Dragon Unit, he served in the Vietnam War from September 1969 to October 1970, completing missions in major battles in the Hoi An district. He was awarded the Inheon Order of Military Merit and the Vietnamese Silver Star Medal. During his tenure as battalion commander, he successfully led the Wolseong counter-espionage operation in May 1983, for which he received the Hwarang Order of Military Merit.
He is survived by his wife Park Young-ran, son Ki-won, and daughter Ji-yeon. The funeral hall is located at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.
The funeral ceremony will be held at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital on the morning of the 24th with full Marine Corps honors. The enshrinement ceremony will take place the same morning at Seoul National Cemetery.