JOURNEY for THE ETERNAL LIFE

Generally, a written account of one’s life is called an autobiography. When the focus shifts more toward the environment or era in which the author lived, it becomes a memoir. Some autobiographies, such as Goethe’s Poetry and Truth, weave in creative elements and have literary value. This book is neither a heroic memoir in the vein of Churchill, MacArthur, or Schweitzer nor a literary work of the caliber of Tolstoy or Goethe.
Rather, it is a raw, essay-style expression of the inner record of my life. Its purpose is to pass on my experiential philosophy of life as an inspiration for future generations. Only when one is prepared to cast aside this single life like a blade of grass for the sake of the nation and humanity, one can attain eternal life. Life becomes eternal not through the pursuit of personal gain or comfort but through a resolute view of life and death-one devoted to defending the nation and striving for world peace.
I came of age in a generation marked by turmoil. Born in the final years of World War II, during the final throes of Japanese imperialism, I lived through the Korean War. Amid the painful division of my homeland, I witnessed the righteous struggle to defend democracy. My worldview was deeply shaped by the crimson blood of the 4.19 Student Revolution, a movement that rose against one-party dictatorship and was marked by the sacrifice of many lives. I entered the Korea Military Academy in the aftermath of the 5.16 Military Coup, which was driven by the goal of national modernization. Our generation lived through the assassination of Park Chung Hee on October 26 and the military insurrection on December 12 and, ultimately, the 6.10 Struggle, which brought forth the flower of democratization. Many of us went on to lead the IT industry, spearheading the information age and becoming pioneers in the era of artificial intelligence. Even amid such upheaval, we were the generation that transformed a once-primitive society into a highly advanced civilization in just a few decades-building on 5,000 years of history. We were key figures in the proud emergence of a modern nation, having brought about industrialization, democratization, informatization, and the AI era while overcoming the shame of once being called a backward country.
I was born and raised in remote mountain village by the Nakdong River during an era of widespread poverty. People survived by eating roots and tree bark, but I went to Daegu to pursue my education as a boy passionate about learning. From an early age, I learned to live independently, away from my parents and developed a strong sense of self-reliance while dedicating myself to my studies. Thanks to scholarships from various foundations, including the Rotary and Lions Clubs, I was able to rise from nothing. No matter how difficult the circumstances, I fully benefited from the opportunities in my homeland, where anyone could freely develop their innate talents.
I wanted to honorably repay the grace given to me by my country and society, so I chose the path of self-sacrifice and dedication to public service. I entered the Korea Military Academy. The life of a soldier is not one of ease, driven by personal interests; rather, it is a challenging and righteous path in which one sacrifices their life for a greater cause. I devoted myself to the nation, the people, and world peace, seeking eternal life through faith in God and a life of service.
I began keeping a journal in elementary school. Although there have been inevitable interruptions along the way, my record will continue until the day I take my last breath. This book is based on the stories from my journals. The notes and essays I've written over the years, along with the photographs stored in albums, USB drives, and PC files, have all helped bring memories back to life.
This book is divided into two parts. Part I describes my dreams of ambition. While gazing at the tranquil flow of the Nakdong River along Deoksilgol, a remote mountain village, I pondered what I should do for the country, the people, and humanity and left my hometown. With an indomitable will, I dedicated myself to my studies, adopting the spirit of the great principles as my motto: "Love others and never deceive myself." I entered Hwarangdae and tempered myself in the furnace of life, striving to realize my lofty dreams.
Part 2 vividly portrays my life as a soldier, from my time as a junior officer to a general. It recounts my experiences, including searching for armed North Korean infiltrators in the Seoraksan region, navigating life-and-death moments in the jungles of Vietnam war under the Cross of the Southern Star, and later serving as the Defense Secretary of President at the Blue House, Deputy Chief of Staff at the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and Senior Membrer of the Military Armistice Commission. In these roles, I played a key part in developing and implementing national strategies and policies.
My life has been guided by the belief: 'Take action, and opportunities will open up,' and 'Without obsessive passion, there is no greatness.' I approached my work with unwavering loyalty and a deep sense of mission, dedicating myself to the nation, the people, and world peace. With the remaining passion, I devoted myself to mentoring the next generation.
I owe my deepest gratitude to my wife, Kim Kyeung-ah; daughter, Cha Soo-jin; son-in-law, Kim Ju-hyeuk; son, Cha Jeong-seok; and daughter-in-law, Park Bok-seon, for their help in collecting materials and proofreading this book. Hoping that this work may serve as a guiding light for young people pursuing an immortal life, I dedicate this work to the souls of those who gave their lives for the country and the people.