Kim Chong-kon was a South Korean admiral, diplomat, and politician, serving as the Chief of Naval Operations, the Ambassador to the Republic of China in Taiwan, and a member of National Assembly before retirement.
14 Facts About Kim Chong-kon
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Kim Chong-kon gained for himself several medals from South Korea and Taiwan for his efforts in military and foreign affairs.
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On 1 September 1948, Kim Chong-kon attended the Korean Naval Academy, and was commissioned as an Ensign after graduating with the 4th class on 31 August 1951.
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Kim Chong-kon was awarded the Chungmu's Order of Military Merit with silver star in 1953 for participating in the war.
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In 1954, Kim Chong-kon was promoted to Lieutenant and a PT boat leader.
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Kim Chong-kon, commanding Chungmu on a security mission at Japan Sea, encountered the North Korean vessel on territorial waters between the 38th parallel and Ulleungdo, and sank it with bombardment after a three-hour chase.
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On 31 January 1967, Kim Chong-kon ended his tenure as the captain of Chungmu, and was assigned to a naval station as its chief of staff in 1968.
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Kim Chong-kon retired from the post as Chief of Naval Operations on 14 May 1981, and was later appointed the country's Ambassador to the ROC on 25 July.
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Kim Chong-kon took the role of communicator for this incident for nearly one year, passing the Taiwanese public opinion to Seoul, and suggested the latter carry out administrative remedies as solution.
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On 11 April 1985, the South Korean government announced the replacement of its six ambassadors abroad, with Kim Chong-kon's post succeeded by Kim Sang-tae, a former Air Force Chief of Staff.
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Kim Chong-kon later launched into politics and was elected in 1988 as a member of the 13th National Assembly from Democratic Justice Party, then ruling party of South Korea which merged with the Unification Democratic Party and New Democratic Republican Party to form the new Democratic Liberal Party in 1990.
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Kim Chong-kon married Kim Sang-jo, with whom he had three sons: Myung-joon, Hee-joon and Seong-joon.
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Kim Chong-kon was buried at the Seoul National Cemetery following farewell ceremony held at Samsung Seoul Hospital.
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Besides medals like the Chungmu's Order of Military Merit with silver star in 1953, the Hwarang's Order of Military Merit in 1966 and the Taiwanese Order of Brilliant Star 2nd rank in 1985, Kim Chong-kon was awarded the Order of National Security Merit 4th rank, Cheon-Su Medal, Tong-il Medal and the Eulji's Order of Military Merit.