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Korean Marine Corps celebrates first fourth-generation Marine family

Published: 02 Apr. 2026, 12:34 Updated: 02 Apr. 2026, 19:45

Four generations of a Marine family are seen in this photo shared on April 2. From left are Kim Jae-chan of the first generation, Kim Eun-il of the second, Kim Cheol-min of the third and Pvt. Kim Jun-young of the the fourth. [MARINE CORPS]

POHANG, North Gyeongsang — For the first time in its 77-year history, the Korean Marine Corps saw the birth of a four-generation Marine family as Pvt. Kim Jun-young became the fourth-generation Marine of his family during a training completion ceremony in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, on Thursday.

The Marine Corps held the completion ceremony for the 1327th recruit class at its training center in Pohang, during which 1,319 recruits who enlisted on Feb. 23 completed basic military training and received their red name tags — a symbol that they have formally become Marines.

Approximately 3,000 family members and acquaintances attended the ceremony to celebrate the recruits, who endured five weeks of intense training. The ceremony carried added significance as it marked the birth of the first four-generation Marine family in the Corps’ history.

The Marine Corps has recorded 58 three-generation Marine families to date.

Pvt. Kim became the fourth-generation Marine in his family. His great-grandfather, grandfather and father all served in the Marine Corps, spanning its early years, from the 1950-53 Korean War to the Vietnam War.

Pvt. Kim Jun-young is seen in this photo shared on April 2. [REPUBLIC OF KOREA MARINE CORPS HEADQUARTERS]

Pvt. Kim’s great-grandfather, the late Kim Jae-chan, enlisted as part of the third recruit class in Jeju Island and served in the Korean War. He took part in major battles, including the Incheon Landing, a 1950 operation led by United Nations forces that recaptured Seoul, and the Battle of Dosol Mountain in 1951, a mountain combat operation in Gangwon. He later retired as a staff sergeant.

Pvt. Kim’s grandfather, Kim Eun-il, enlisted in the 173rd class and fought in the Vietnam War, during which he participated in battles in the Chu Lai area.

Pvt. Kim’s father, Kim Cheol-min, joined the 754th class and served on the front lines of the Gimpo Peninsula, where he was tasked with defending the western part of Seoul.

Pvt. Kim attributed his drive and resilience to his family, who had all served in combat or front-line roles.

“I believe it is my responsibility to carry this legacy forward,” he said on Thursday. “With pride as a fourth-generation Marine, I will carry out my duties and contribute to the history of the Corps.”

His grandfather traveled from Gapado Island in Jeju to attend Thursday's ceremony.

“I feel proud that four generations of our family have served in the Marine Corps,” Kim Eun-il said. “I hope my grandson and all members of the 1327th class serve the country well and complete their service safely.”

Marine Kim Cheol-min is seen in this photo provided by the Korean Marine Corps on April 2. [REPUBLIC OF KOREA MARINE CORPS HEADQUARTERS]

Pvt. Kim’s father also expressed his pride.

“I am proud that my son will continue our family’s tradition in the Marine Corps,” Kim Cheol-min said. “I hope he carries out his duties well and completes his service safely as those before him did.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM JUNG-SEOK [[email protected]]