New JCS chairman vows to build strong military against 'complex' security threats
Gen. Jin Yong-sung salutes before delivering an inaugural address during the inauguration and retirement ceremony for the 44th and 45th chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Ministry of National Defense parade ground in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Gen. Jin Yong-sung took office Tuesday as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and vowed to build a strong military in the face of what he called "complex" security threats.
Jin was appointed to lead the JCS in the first major reshuffle of top-brass military officials following former ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in December.
The new chairman noted that South Korea faces an array of internal and external security challenges, such as North Korea's continued development of nuclear, missile and conventional weapons, uncertainties in the international order and a decline in troop resources.
"(I) will fully prepare a military readiness posture that can prevail against complex security threats," Jin said in his inauguration ceremony, vowing to maintain strong deterrence across all areas while supporting efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The top military officer also pledged to seek full-fledged military cooperation based on the national interest and pragmatism.
Jin underscored the importance of focusing on the military's core duty of protecting the people while adhering to political neutrality, saying his priority lies in restoring public trust in the military.
His remarks came amid calls for defense reform following the military's involvement in last year's short-lived martial law imposition.
"I will strive to (fulfill) the role of the JCS chairman so that the military becomes one that is trusted, can win in a fight and prepares for the future," the top military officer said.
He also called for sharpening the military's capabilities for the envisioned handover of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea from the United States and preparing for future warfare.
"Under a steadfast South Korea-U.S. alliance, (I) will lead a systemic transition of wartime OPCON through the acquisition of core military capabilities and a combined and joint operation system for a South Korean military-led combined defense," Jin said.
His remarks came as the Lee Jae Myung government has pledged to seek a conditions-based transition of wartime OPCON to Seoul from Washington during Lee's five-year term.
Jin, who served as the inaugural chief of the Strategic Command, is the first Air Force officer to take the helm of the JCS in five years since Gen. Won In-choul.
He succeeds retiring Adm. Kim Myung-soo.