A boy who left for the United States at the age of six has returned to his homeland 46 years later as a U.S. Army general. Brigadier General Jin H. Pak, 52, who took command of the U.S. Army’s 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Camp Henry in Daegu last June, is the first Korean-American general to assume such a role since the U.S. Forces Korea Command was established in 1957.
During his inauguration speech, Brig. Gen. Pak concluded with a slightly clumsy attempt at the local Gyeongsang-do dialect, saying “Gachi gabsida” (Let’s go together).
In an interview with The Chosunilbo on Sept. 23, Brig. Gen. Pak reflected on his journey, sharing that when he first joined the U.S. Army, he never imagined he would one day return to S. Korea as the commander of such an outstanding unit like the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. He noted that it is rare for an immigrant to rise to the rank of general and return to their home country, except in the U.S. and S. Korea, and expressed his pride in this achievement.
Pak’s father, a pharmacist, emigrated to New York with his wife shortly after their son was born in 1972, seeking stable jobs and a foundation for their new life. In the meantime, Pak stayed behind in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, where he was raised by his grandparents until 1978.
Pak recalled being told that whenever he saw an airplane in the sky as a child, he would say, “Wow, that plane is going to America.” He mentioned that he constantly missed his parents and longed to go to the U.S.
When Pak was six, he finally boarded a plane to New York on his own. His grandparents arranged for a flight attendant to look after him during the journey. He explained that back then, children were allowed to travel without guardians. At the time, all flights between the U.S. and Korea made a refueling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. Pak has faint memories of passengers stopping at a noodle shop in the Anchorage airport to eat udon.
“When I finally arrived in the U.S., I was excited, but learning the language, culture, and customs was extremely difficult. I didn’t feel like I belonged and suffered from severe homesickness,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Pak completed his primary and secondary education and went on to attend the U.S. Military Academy West Point. After graduating in 1994, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served in countries such as Germany, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. From 2012 to 2015, he was stationed in S. Korea as a battalion commander under the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
Regarding the recent missile provocations from North Korea, Brig. Gen. Pak noted that the security situation on the Korean Peninsula tends to fluctuate. However, he emphasized that joint training between U.S. and South Korean forces remains crucial for maintaining a strong deterrent against North Korean aggression.
The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which Pak now leads, is responsible for logistics and support, ensuring that U.S. forces can be deployed to Korea in a timely manner. The command also works closely with the Eighth U.S. Army, South Korea’s Second Operational Command, the Ground Operations Command, and the Transportation Command.
Although Pak has lived in the U.S. for most of his life, his Korean roots are evident in his love for traditional dishes like gamjatang (pork bone soup) and seolleongtang (ox bone soup).
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships between U.S. troops and local communities, noting that the U.S. military is in South Korea at the invitation of the government, and it is crucial to foster good relations with local residents on behalf of the U.S. government.
To support this, his command operates the ‘Korea-U.S. Friendship Circle (KAFC)’ Program, which brings together U.S. military families and Daegu area university students for regular cultural exchanges. Through this program, young Koreans are exposed to American culture and lifestyles, while U.S. commanders gain a deeper understanding of Korean history and traditions.
