The U.S. 8th Army named Paik Sun-yup, the first-ever South Korean four-star Army general, its honorary commander on Thursday.

Paik’s gallantry and command competence during the Korean War were the key reasons for the appointment, Eighth Army officials said.

The ceremony was held at Command Post Paik Sun-yup, named after the 93-year-old war veteran in June, at the New Mexico Range near Panmunjeom.

Eighth Army Deputy Commanding General for Operations Maj. Gen. Walter M. Golden Jr. said Paik has always been a “mentor” to U.S. soldiers serving in Korea.

Golden attended in place of 8th Army commander Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux.

Paik said he was honored to be given the title and hoped to convey this pride and happiness to the Korea-U.S. alliance that protects the Korean Peninsula.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)