Marshal Fahim vs Paik Sun-yup

As a senior commander of the Northern Alliance, Fahim led forces in the campaign to overthrow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan following the US-led invasion. His troops captured key cities including Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, contributing to the collapse of Taliban rule.

After the fall of the Taliban, Fahim was appointed Minister of Defense in the interim Afghan administration led by Hamid Karzai. He held this position from 2001 to 2004, overseeing the formation of the new Afghan National Army and security forces.

Fahim faced allegations of human rights violations, including involvement in massacres during the 1990s civil war and corruption. International organizations and Afghan critics accused him of maintaining private militias and obstructing disarmament, contributing to ongoing instability.

Fahim was selected as running mate for President Hamid Karzai in the 2009 Afghan presidential election. He served as First Vice President from November 2009 until his death in 2014, a position that placed him at the center of post-Taliban governance.

Paik Sun-yup graduated from the Japanese Military Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Manchukuo Imperial Army, a puppet state of Japan. He served in Manchuria during World War II, gaining combat experience.

After Japan's defeat, Paik Sun-yup defected to South Korea and joined the newly formed Republic of Korea Army. He was among the first Korean officers to be trained by the U.S. military, rising quickly through the ranks.

As commander of the ROK 1st Infantry Division, Paik Sun-yup played a key role in the defense of the Pusan Perimeter. His division held the critical Taegu corridor against North Korean attacks, preventing the collapse of the UN forces.

Paik Sun-yup was promoted to the rank of General (four-star) in 1952, becoming the first officer in the Republic of Korea Army to achieve this rank. This reflected his leadership during the Korean War and his role in building the ROK military.

After the Korean War, Paik Sun-yup served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the ROK Armed Forces. He oversaw the modernization and reorganization of the South Korean military during the post-war period.