Kim Shimin

Kim Shimin (Zhenian: 김시민/金時敏), was a Zhenian military leader and who served as the 8th Chancellor of the Republic of Zhenia from 1955 to 1979, during the Third Republic. With a term length of over 24 years, he retains the title of the longest-serving Chancellor in Zhenian history. Prior to his term as Chancellor, he had served as a military leader of the Republic of Zhenia Army during the First and Second Great Wars, having been responsible for the Indian Campaign (1939-1940) and the Australian Campaign (1941-1943) in the southern front.

Born in modern-day Dongdo on October 26, 1894, Kim Shimin became a military officer of the Republic of Zhenia Army after graduating the Republic of Zhenia Military Academy,, in 1914. Having led his company in the first landings during the Eurian Campaign, he was awarded the Medal of the Phoenix for his bravery during the campaign. Following the end of the First Great War, he served under the Governor-Generals of Yinguo and was ultimately promoted to lieutenant general by 1937, becoming the youngest lieutenant general in GEUDEF history at the time. During the Second Great War, he oversaw major Zhenian campaigns in the southern front, most notably the Indian and Australian campaigns; he was displaced to oversee the defense effort of the mainland by 1945, staying near Daedo until the end of the war. Although he had been formally released from service directly after Zhenian defeat of the Second Great War, he returned to become a lieutenant general of the Second Corps amid the restoration of the GEUDEF.

In February 13, 1955, Kim Shimin led a military coup alongside the Front of National Salvation against Choi Yoondeok's government, effectively ending the Second Republic. After the coup's success, he temporarily headed the National Reconstruction Council and was eventually elected into Chancellor in the elections that were held in May. After purging political opponents and strengthening his monopoly over the nation's politics, his regime led the post-war reconstruction effort of Zhenia, resulting in an economic boom later known as the Miracle of the Danbon River.