Military names new JCS chief, overhauls top brass

It was the first time that a Navy vice admiral had been picked to head the top of the military’s chain of command while being promoted to admiral at the same time.

Kim Myung-soo, new Chairman of the Korean military, Joint Chief of Staff. [YONHAP PHOTO]

Navy Operation Commander Vice Admiral Kim Myung-soo was named the new chairman of the Korean military’s Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) on Sunday.

The Korean military also announced a major overhaul of its leadership by replacing seven four-star generals.

In addition to replacing the outgoing JCS head, the military replaced the chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and the commanders of the Group Operation Command and 2nd Operation Command.

All the nominees are lieutenant generals.

The Defense Ministry on Sunday stated that the new JCS members were picked to push forward the building of an advanced military, dubbed the “Defense Innovation 4.0” initiative.

The goal of the initiative is to acquire advanced technologies, including AI and drones, to strengthen the nation’s defense capabilities.

“With North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile threats and global security growing unstable, we have chosen generals that can win victories on uncertain battlefields with their various field experiences and outstanding combat intuition,” the military said in a statement.

The nomination of the new JCS chairman is considered an especially bold move.

It was the first time that a Navy vice admiral had been picked to head the top of the military’s chain of command while being promoted to admiral at the same time.

Additionally, this is the first time in a decade that a Navy commander has been picked to head the JCS since Choi Yoon-hee in 2013.

The Navy has been on high alert due to repeated North Korean attacks, including the sinking of the corvette Cheonan that killed 46 sailors and the bombarding of Yeonpyeong Island on the Yellow Sea that killed four people, including two marines.

Kim, who attended high school in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang, attended the Naval Academy.

He was the captain of a Sejong the Great-class destroyer and led the JCS's overseas information bureau.

However, Kim’s nomination must be approved by the National Assembly.

The Democratic Party, which holds the majority of seats in the National Assembly, derailed Yoon’s first pick for Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, leaving the seat vacant since September.

Lieutenant General Park An-su has been appointed as the Army’s chief, Vice Admiral Yang Yong-mo as the Navy’s chief and Lieutenant General Lee Young-su as the Air Force’s chief.

Lieutenant General Kang Shin-chul was named the new Korea-U. S. Combined Forces Command deputy commander, while Lieutenant General Ko Chang-jun was named the head of the 2nd Operation Command.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]