Pang Ho-san

In this Korean name, the family name is Pang.

Pang Ho-san (Korean: 방호산 Chinese: 方虎山; 1906/16–1959) was a communist anti-Japanese activist and general of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

General Pang Ho-san
Personal details
Born	1906 or 1916 Kankyōhoku-dō (North Hamgyong Province), Korea, Empire of Japan
Died	1959
Party	Chinese Communist Party Workers' Party of Korea
Military service
Allegiance	Chinese Communist Party North Korea
Branch/service	Eighth Route Army People's Liberation Army Korean People's Army
Years of service	1940–1951
Rank	General
Battles/wars	See battles Korean independence movement Pacification of Manchukuo Chinese Civil War World War II Pacific War Korean War Operation Pokpoong Battle of Kaesong–Munsan Battle of Gorangpo Battle of Ongjin Battle of Gimpo Peninsula Battle of Bongilcheon Battle of Oryu-dong Battle of Sinsa-dong and Gwacheon Battle of Siheung-Anyang-Suwon First and Second Battles of Wonju Battle of Masan Battle of Nam River Battle of the Notch Hadong Ambush Battle of Battle Mountain Battle of Pusan Perimeter Battle of Haman Battle of Heartbreak Ridge

Biography

Pang was born in North Hamgyong Province in 1906^[1] or 1916.^[2] In his youth, he joined the North Korean guerrillas to fight against the Japanese occupation of Korea.^[1]

His leadership talents were recognized during his service as a guerrilla, and he was sent to the Soviet Union for military education from 1937 to 1939. In 1940, Pang joined the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and subsequently fought in World War II and Chinese Civil War. He rose in the ranks of the PLA, serving as political commissar of the PLA's 166th Division by 1948. When the 166th Division was transferred to North Korean service in 1949, Pang was appointed commanding general of the unit which was reorganized as 6th Division of the Korean People's Army.^[1]

During the Korean War, Pang led the 6th Division and proved to be a highly talented commander.^[1] His unit crossed the Han River first through the Gimpo Peninsula, occupied the Chungnam and Honam areas, and massacred civilians in the occupied areas through the 6th Division and partisans under his control. Afterwards, the 6th Division was awarded the title of Guards Division for their majors, such as advancing to Jinju and Masan. At that time, General Walker praised "The maneuver of the 6th Division of the North Korean Army was the best maneuver in the Korean War so far."^{[This quote needs a citation]} In September 1950, the 6th Division was defeated and pursued as part of the UN Forces September 1950 counteroffensive, yet Pang managed to keep his unit largely intact and successfully managed its retreat northward.^[1] In October 1950 or January 1951, he was appointed as the 5th Corps commander and commanded the battles on the Eastern Front.^[2][1] By 1952, US military intelligence singled out Pang as the "best corps commander" of the North Korean military, assessing that he was a "first-class strategist" who inspired his troops, cared for their walfare, favored Chinese-inspired infiltration tactics, and generally avoided human wave attacks.^[1]

After the Korean War, Pang was lauded by the North Korean government and was personally praised by Kim Il Sung.^[1] In June 1956, he was awarded the title of Hero of North Korea.^[2]

In August 1958, he appointed as the president of the Army War College.^[1][2] However, Pang fell under suspection of having ties of the pro-Chinese Yan'an faction which had been involved in the August faction incident. Deemed to be a potential member of the "anti-party" (or anti-Kim) movement, he was purged. The exact place and time of his death are unknown, but Pang was executed on Kim Il Sung's orders some time in 1959.^[2][1]