Park Seh-jik

2.1. Early life and education

Park Seh-jik was born on 18 September 1933, in what was then Chilgok, Keishōhoku-dō, during Japanese colonial rule (present-day Gupyeong-dong, Indong-myeon, Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which is now Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do). He spent his formative years growing up in Jukjang-ri, Seonsan-eup, Seonsan-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Throughout his life, Park pursued extensive education, encompassing formal degrees, non-degree programs, and honorary doctorates. He was noted for his proficiency in multiple foreign languages, including French, English, and Japanese, and possessed strong conversational skills.

2.2. Military career

Park Seh-jik's military career began during the Korean War, where he enlisted as a soldier. After graduating from the Korea Military Academy, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He advanced through the ranks, serving in various significant roles within the Republic of Korea Army. In 1961, he became a professor at the Korea Military Academy. Later, he served as a special advisor to the President for National Security in 1976 and as an assistant to the Minister of National Defense. He commanded the 3rd Infantry Division in 1980, and subsequently became the Commander of the Capital Defense Command in 1981.

In August 1981, Park was forcibly retired as a Major General. Although officially dismissed on grounds of alleged high-level lobbying activities, the investigation later cleared him of these charges. The Korean sources indicate that he was known to have opposed the Shin-gunbu (new military group) that rose to power after the 12.12 Military Coup.

2.3. Early bureaucratic career

After his forced retirement from the military, Park Seh-jik transitioned into a bureaucratic career, where he quickly assumed important roles. In August 1981, he became a policy advisor to the Ministry of Energy and Resources and a special assistant to the Deputy Director of the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP). He continued his work as an advisor to the Ministry of Energy and Resources in January 1982.

His career then took a turn into the public enterprise sector; in March 1982, he was appointed Vice President, and later Senior Vice President, of the Korea Electric Power Corporation. By November 1982, he was back at the ANSP as Assistant Director, and by January 1983, he was promoted to 2nd Deputy Director of the ANSP, a position equivalent to a minister. During his tenure as 2nd Deputy Director of the ANSP, the Aung San Martyrs' Mausoleum bombing incident occurred. Park was dispatched to Burma (now Myanmar) as the head of the investigation team, where he played a crucial role in resolving doubts raised by the Burmese side regarding the incident and stabilizing the situation.

In February 1985, following Jang Se-dong's appointment as ANSP Director, Park Seh-jik stepped down from his ANSP role and became the 7th Minister of Government Administration (총무처 장관). In July of the same year, he served as a special envoy to the President, attending the inauguration ceremony of the President of Peru. Upon his return, on January 8, 1986, he was appointed the 4th Minister of Sports (체육부 장관). In this capacity, he worked alongside his predecessor, Roh Tae-woo, on the planning and preparation for the 1986 Asian Games and the preliminary arrangements for the 1988 Summer Olympics.

3.1. Leadership in Seoul Olympics

Park Seh-jik's most notable achievement was his leadership in securing and successfully hosting the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. On May 7, 1986, he was appointed President of the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee (SOOC), succeeding Roh Tae-woo. He also chaired the Organizing Committee for the 10th Asian Games. Under his leadership, extensive planning and preparations were undertaken, which culminated in the successful staging of both major international sporting events. He served as President of the SOOC until October 2, 1988, and continued as Chairman until April 3, 1989, when the position was dissolved. His efforts were instrumental in the acclaimed success of the Seoul Olympics, which significantly elevated South Korea's international standing and fostered national pride.

3.2. Director of Agency for National Security Planning

From December 1988 to July 1989, Park Seh-jik served as the 16th Director of the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP), a position equivalent to a Deputy Prime Minister in South Korea. The ANSP was the primary intelligence agency of South Korea, known for its extensive powers and its controversial role in political surveillance and suppression of dissent during the authoritarian governments of the Fifth and Sixth Republics. While serving as Director, Park oversaw the agency's operations, including intelligence gathering related to national security and counter-espionage activities. His tenure occurred during a period of transition following the direct election of a president, yet the ANSP continued to exert significant influence over domestic affairs, a legacy that often draws criticism regarding human rights and democratic principles.

3.3. Mayor of Seoul

On December 27, 1990, Park Seh-jik was appointed the 23rd Mayor of Seoul, succeeding Goh Kun. His tenure as Mayor was brief, lasting only 54 days, before he was succeeded by Lee Haewon on February 18, 1991. Given the short duration of his term, detailed policy decisions or administrative activities are not widely noted.

3.4. Political Career as National Assemblyman

Following his bureaucratic career, Park Seh-jik embarked on a political career, serving two terms as a Member of the National Assembly. He was first elected to the 14th National Assembly in April 1992, representing Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and began his term in May. He was re-elected in 1996 for the 15th National Assembly, representing Gumi-si Gap, serving until May 2000. During his time as a legislator, he contributed to various legislative activities. In July 1992, he was appointed to the Son Kee-chung-Hwang Young-jo Commemoration Committee, established to celebrate Hwang Young-jo's marathon victory at the Barcelona Olympics. In 1997, he was appointed Chairman of the Globalization Promotion Committee, which focused on policies for South Korea's international engagement. He also served as an adjunct professor at Kookmin University in 1992.

3.5. Later Activities

In his later years, Park Seh-jik continued to be active in public life, particularly within veterans' affairs and conservative circles. On April 21, 2006, he was elected the 31st President of the Korea Veterans Association (대한민국 재향군인회). He completed his three-year term and was re-elected for a 32nd term on April 13, 2009. During this period, he actively participated in various security-related lectures and engagements with conservative organizations.

4.1. Books

• Smiling Wife (미소짓는 아내)
• Heaven, Earth, East and West as One (하늘과 땅 동서가 하나로)
• Our Story of the Seoul Olympics (서울 올림픽 우리들의 이야기)
• Hidden Stories of the Seoul Olympics (서울 올림픽 묻혀진 이야기)

4.2. Papers

• Theory and Practice of Command and Leadership (지휘통솔의 이론과 실제)
• On Rich Nation / Strong Military (부국 / 강군론)
• Surrounding Situation of the Korean Peninsula and Direction for Peaceful Unification (한반도 주변정세와 평화통일 방향)
• 2002 World Cup and the Future of Korea and Japan (2002년 월드컵과 한일 양국의 미래)
• Shin, Gyeong, Ae's 3/3 Happiness Theory (신, 경, 애의 3/3 행복론)

5.1. Family

Park Seh-jik was married to Hong Suk-ja, who was born in 1938. Together, they had three children: two sons and one daughter.

5.2. Death

Park Seh-jik passed away on July 27, 2009, at the age of 75, in Seoul, South Korea. His death was attributed to acute pneumonia, which was linked to overwork. He was survived by his wife, Hong Suk-ja, and his three children.

6.1. Contributions and Positive Evaluations

Park Seh-jik is widely lauded for his exceptional leadership in the successful hosting of the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. As President of the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee, his meticulous planning and execution were instrumental in transforming Seoul into a global stage, significantly enhancing South Korea's international standing and fostering national pride. The Olympics, under his guidance, were not only an athletic success but also a diplomatic triumph, bringing together nations during a tense Cold War era. For his contributions to the Olympic movement, he was posthumously awarded the Olympic Order. His administrative acumen and dedication to public service are often highlighted as key factors in these achievements.

6.2. Criticism and Controversies

Despite his acclaimed contributions to the Olympics, Park Seh-jik's career is also subject to criticism, particularly due to his association with the controversial Chun Doo-hwan regime. While the Korean source suggests he initially opposed the new military group that seized power in 1979, leading to his forced retirement from the military, he subsequently served in key positions under the Chun Doo-hwan administration, including as the 2nd Deputy Director and later Director of the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP). The ANSP, during this period, was known for its role in suppressing political dissent and its involvement in human rights abuses, operating as a powerful instrument of authoritarian control. Critics argue that his service in such an agency, regardless of his initial stance, implicates him in the broader legacy of political repression characteristic of that era, raising questions about his commitment to democratic values and social progress.