Ri Myong-su vs Zhang Peilun

Ri Myong-su was appointed as Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA). This position made him the top military commander under Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il, responsible for overseeing North Korea's military operations and strategic planning.

Ri Myong-su oversaw the Korean People's Army during the transition of power from Kim Jong-il to Kim Jong-un. He ensured military loyalty to the new leader and maintained stability during the succession period, a critical time for the North Korean regime.

Ri Myong-su was removed from his position as Chief of the General Staff in 2012, reportedly as part of Kim Jong-un's military reshuffling. His removal was part of a broader purge of senior military officials associated with the previous leadership.

Following his removal as Chief of Staff, Ri Myong-su was demoted to a lesser military position. This demotion reflected Kim Jong-un's consolidation of power and the replacement of older military leaders with younger officers loyal to the new leader.

Zhang Peilun commanded the Fujian Fleet during the Battle of Fuzhou against the French Far East Squadron. The Chinese fleet was destroyed in a matter of hours, with most ships sunk or damaged, marking a major defeat.

Following the naval battle, French forces bombarded and destroyed the Fuzhou Shipyard, a key Qing naval facility. The loss crippled China's naval modernization efforts and exposed the weakness of the Qing navy.

Zhang Peilun was court-martialed for his role in the defeat at Fuzhou and sentenced to exile in Manchuria. The punishment reflected the Qing government's need to assign blame for the military disaster.