The Defense Ministry has chosen former 8th U.S. Army Commander Gen. Walton Walker as the first winner of the Paik Sun-yup Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Award, officials said Sunday.

The late wartime leader was picked for his dedication to the defense of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, the ministry said. His son, Sam Walker, also participated in the war as a company leader.

Gen. Walker died in an accident while inspecting front lines in Seoul in December 1950.

The award ceremony will take place on Sept. 30. Walton Walker II, the late general’s grandson and retired colonel, is to receive the award along with a cash prize of $30,000.

The ministry made the award this year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Paik Sun-yup is South Korea’s first four-star general who led Korean forces during the war.

Among the jurors for the award were Gen. Kwon Oh-sung, the deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and Lim Gwan-bin, deputy minister for policy at the Defense Ministry.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)