Kikkawa Hiroie vs Paik Sun-yup

Kikkawa Hiroie served as a senior retainer to Mori Terumoto, the head of the Mori clan. He participated in the clan's campaigns during the late Sengoku period, including conflicts with the Oda and Toyotomi forces, before the fateful Sekigahara campaign.

Kikkawa Hiroie commanded a portion of the Mori clan forces at Sekigahara but ordered his troops to remain stationary due to his secret pact. His inaction prevented the Mori from aiding Ishida Mitsunari's western army, directly leading to Tokugawa's decisive victory.

Kikkawa Hiroie secretly negotiated with Tokugawa Ieyasu before the Battle of Sekigahara, promising that the Mori clan would not attack Tokugawa forces. This betrayal ensured that the Mori army remained largely inactive during the battle, contributing to Tokugawa's victory.

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.