Description:

Bilingual ROK Army Holiday Card Signed by Jeong Seung-hwa 5 Days Before December 12, 1979 Coup d'État

A bilingual Korean and English holiday card signed by Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army Jeong Seung-hwa (1929-2002) (also known as Chung Seung-hwa), in Korean characters at left. N.d., n.p. but postmarked on December 7, 1979, just five days before the "Coup d'état of December 12" that would lead to Jeong Seung-hwa's fall from power. The card is accompanied by its original transmittal envelope addressed to the household of DeWitt C. Smith, Jr. (1920-2005), then commandant of the U.S. Army War College. Expected surface wear, else near fine. The envelope measures 7.125" x 4.875."

The holiday card, which shows the seal or insignia of the Republic of Korea Army at top, opens to reveal festive messages in English on the right, and in Korean on the left, with Jeong Seung-hwa's signature in black felt tip pen appearing near the right edge at left. "Best Wishes for / A Merry Christmas and / A Happy New Year / Chief of Staff, The Republic of Korea Army / and Mrs. Chung, Seung Hwa," the English message reads. Expected minor wear including creases and wrinkles, with a paper clip impression and watermarks verso, else near fine, the card measuring 7" x 4.375." The margin of the transmittal envelope is inscribed, possibly in the hand of the recipient, DeWitt Smith, as: "B - / To Keep in / an[d] to file. / Real piece / of history - / he's now / under ar- / rest by the / coup leaders! - D."

Jeong Seung-hwa had held the highest position in the Republic of Korea Army, that of Chief of Staff, from February 1 until December 12, 1979, when he was ousted during the aforementioned coup d'état. Jeong Seung-hwa had been at the executive mansion, the Blue House, when South Korean president Park Chung-hee was assassinated on October 26, 1979; this later proved to be an incriminating detail.

After President Park's assassination, Jeong Seung-hwa had implemented martial law, prohibiting meetings and the convening of university classes, imposing censorship, and instituting curfews. He also arrested Kim Jae-Kyu, the presidential assassin. Yet less than two months later, on December 12, 1979, Jeong Seung-hwa was accused of having advanced knowledge of the assassination plot, and was arrested by Chun Doo-Hwan (1931-2021), Head of Security Command, and his elite corps of military partisans known as the Hanahoe. With Jeong Seung-hwa under arrest, Chun Doo-Hwan essentially became a military dictator and moved in to occupy Seoul. Jeong Seung-hwa was convicted of conspiracy, demoted to the rank of private, and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, though he was released early. In 1997, Jeong Seung-hwa was officially exonerated. His general's rank was reinstated and he was granted back pay as well as his officer's pension.

The recipient of this holiday card was DeWitt C. Smith, Jr. A veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, Smith became one of the longest-tenured commandants of the U.S. Army War College; he led the institution from 1974-1977 and from 1978-1980.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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