Lew Byong-hion served in the Republic of Korea Army from 1948 to 1981, after which he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until 1986.
12 Facts About Lew Byong-hion
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Lew Byong-hion was born on 18 October 1924 in Cheongwon County, Chuseihoku-do, Korea, Empire of Japan.
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Lew Byong-hion graduated from the 7th class of the Korea Military Academy in 1948.
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Lew Byong-hion was a supporter of Park Chung Hee's coup in May that year, and was rewarded for his loyalty with a post in Park's junta as Minister of Agriculture after the resignation of Major General Chang Kyu-soon in June 1963.
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Lew Byong-hion continued in his military posts as well; from September 1966 to September 1967, he was Commander of the "Tiger" Division in Vietnam.
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Lew Byong-hion was widely noted for his 1968 prediction that North Korea would launch an all-out attack on South Korea, "whether it be today or in years to come", though Charles H Bonesteel III disagreed with his assessment.
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Lew Byong-hion continued his rise through the ranks, finally being promoted to daejang in 1977.
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In December 1979, Lew Byong-hion additionally became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Lew Byong-hion held the position of Chairman until his retirement from the military in 1981.
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Lew Byong-hion was named South Korea's eleventh ambassador to the United States in May 1981, succeeding Kim Yong-shik.
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Lew Byong-hion remained in Washington DC until 1985, thereafter becoming the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' ambassador-at-large until 1986.
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Lew Byong-hion was married to Yang Jeong-hui, with whom he had four sons.