New Marine Corps commandant appointed for 2 year term
Lt. Gen. Kim Tae-sung, new commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, salutes the national flag during a ceremony to mark his inauguration held at the Corps headquarters in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Republic of Korea Marine Corps
Lt. Gen. Kim Tae-sung took office as the new commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Tuesday, vowing to strengthen its capabilities and readiness posture as a key strategic unit.
Kim will lead the service for a two-year term, replacing Lt. Gen. Lee Seung-do, who had been in the post since April 2019.
"Our security situation has been changing rapidly regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establishment of a permanent peace," Kim said in his inauguration speech. "I am well aware of what the people want from the Marine Corps."
Kim vowed strenuous efforts to make "the mighty Marine Corps, which is capable of being swiftly deployed to scenes under any circumstances and ending incidents right away, to best support peace and prosperity for the country and the people."
To achieve the goal, the commandant pledged to proactively conduct education and training with a focus on actual combat missions, and to boost air-to-ground operational capabilities by utilizing cutting-edge technologies.
After his graduation from the Republic of Korea Naval Academy in 1988, the 54-year-old officer served in various positions in the armed services branch, and is known for his expertise in Marine operations and strategy. (Yonhap)