The Legacy of General Lee Sang-hee: How His Values Shaped Modern South Korea

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To the memory of Gen. Lee Sang-hee, who showed the way for soldiers,
from your devoted student and former cadet, Ryu Je-seung.
Today the sky is unusually clear.

I already miss your gentle voice: “Je-seung, well done. That’s my Je-seung.” You always covered my shortcomings and lifted my spirits.

Forty-eight years ago, when Maj. Lee Sang-hee first stood before us at the cadet battalion of the Korea Military Academy, he became our model of what a soldier should be. Many of us still carry his warm lessons and steady encouragement: “Show respect even to those junior to you,” and “Be the kind of platoon leader who feeds on dreams.” Back then, young cadets believed only relentless effort could match your resolve and standards.

On the evening you assumed the chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs, you gathered senior officers in the conference hall and, in a solemn tone, set out your priorities: “First, second, third…” You declared, “All our commands are ready to fight the enemy. But the Joint Chiefs are the exception. From this moment, we will build a wartime command system that wins.” You demonstrated, in word and deed, how a soldier must devote himself to duty.

Gen. Lee was a soldier through and through. His judgment and standards always put the nation first. While leading the Chilsung unit on the front lines for seven years against persistent North Korean provocations, Lt. Col. Lee devised practical, effective measures from the humblest tools. His inventive logic and relentless execution sometimes made us break into a cold sweat, but through that rigor we learned to do the job right and achieved more than we thought possible.

One day you told us, “Becoming chairman felt like destiny, but serving as minister left me with regrets.” In that brief confession was the pain of a life shaped by military values and principles, tested by political demands and improper pressures. We can only begin to grasp the heavy burden you bore alone in that role.

As a soldier, you defended the professional ethos of the military and worked to ensure a proper balance between military and political spheres in service of national security. You upheld the principle of political neutrality in the armed forces to the end, and you firmly rejected improper political interference in military affairs.

In a turbulent era, you met relentless challenges head-on and helped restore the honor and spirit of our nation and its armed forces. Your ideals and achievements will stand in history, and we—your students—will carry your legacy forward with dedication.

Now you leave us: a principled soldier who gave strict instruction and left warm memories. You begin your final journey. We pray that, from above, you will watch over the safety of this country and the steadfast posture of our armed forces, smiling with the immortal spirit of a true patriot.

Even after you left uniformed service, you enjoyed a round of golf—may you now play freely in heaven with the brave spirits who defended this country, without a care for tee times. Lay down your burdens and rest in peace.

Those of us who remain will pray for the repose of your soul.

March 12, 2026
Respectfully, Ryu Je-seung, student and soldier.