Kim Jong-pil was born in Buyeo County, Chungcheongnam-do. He was educated as Hwangukshinmin seosa education victim of Japanese imperial rule from the age of 8 until he was 19, when Japanese rule was suppressed. He graduated from the Korea Military Academy in 1949. He studied in the USA in 1951 and participated in the Korean War as an intelligence officer of the Republic of Korea Army.
Political career
After 4.19 citizen & students uprising against President Rhee dictatorship and illegal poll in 1960, he participated in the May 16 coup led by Major General Park Chung-hee in 1961 and served in several high-profile offices, including Chairman of the ruling Democratic Republican Party during Park's presidency eighteen years until assassination in 1979. In 1962, he concluded the diplomatic relationship with Japan after Imperial Japanese rule of Korea. Japanese rule of Daeil Cheongoogwon was used as seed money for economic development of Pohang steel and Gyeonbu expressway to achieve Han river economic miracle. The poverty of 60 dollars income to 30,000 dollars strong economy of South Korea. Income went from 60 South Korean won to 30,000 South Korean won, representing a strong economy. In 1963, he founded the Democratic Republican Party . From 1971 to 1975, he served as Prime Minister of South Korea. He assumed the same position from 1998 to 2000. The outline of Kim Jong-pil's positions hardly describes the skill of the politician in navigating the complexities of the South Korean politics. Scholars note that he mastered the art of political coalitions. This is demonstrated in the way he was able to reemerge politically stronger after suffering various political setbacks. For instance, by October 1997, Kim Jong-pil's popularity had fluctuated hovering between 2.9 percent and 4.6 percent and this was attributed to his reputation as a previous coup instigator. This was further aggravated by the conservative party's image problem, which was identified with old politicians who have ethical flaws. Through clever political maneuvering, however, Kim Jong-pil struck a power-sharing deal with Kim Dae-jung's NCNP party, which allowed him to choose half of the prime ministers 2nd top cabinet members of the Kim Dae-Jung administration as DJP Yenjeong. The deal also included his nomination as acting prime minister in March 1998, then prime minister months later during Kim Daejung president period of 1998–2002. In 2004, he announced his retirement from politics after his bid for a tenth term in the National Assembly failed and his party, the United Liberal Democrats, was unable to gain a sizable number of seats in the 2004 parliamentary election. The party later merged into Grand National Party.
In a 2001 sentimental letter written to Bhimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, a king of erstwhile Ayodhya state with a history of 200 years old, Kim talked about his March 2001 visit to India. He mentioned it "remained very meaningful to me" as it "fulfilled his desire to visit Ayodhya, a princess of which became the queen of King Suro of Gaya and Heo Hwang-ok. I am the 72nd generation descendant of the King Kim Suro of the Garak Kingdom." Kim was amongst more than a hundred historians and government representatives, including the North Korean ambassador to India, and an 18-member delegation from South Korea – led by former Gimhae Mayor Song Eun-Bok – composed of prominent industrialists who inaugurated a memorial to their royal ancestor, Queen Hwang Huh on the west bank of the River Sarayu. The monument was built using a three-metre high stone weighing 7,500 kg, specially shipped from South Korea.
Private life
On February 15, 1951, Kim married Park Young-ok, who died on February 21, 2015 from urethral cancer, aged 85. Park was President Park Chung-hee's niece. Kim died on June 23, 2018, at Shindangdon Northern Seoul at the age of 92. His tomb of Gamyo was made at Wuisan Western Buyeo of his hometown along with Park Young-ok, cousin of president Park Chung-hee in 2015. Park Chung-hee 3rd uncle & revered by President Park: Park, Sanghee's daughter recommended by President Park's Joongmae tradition in South Korea. His state funeral was held on June 24, 2018.
Quotes
His words: Jawuiban Tawuiban: half my will Half others will.
