Lee awards symbolic swords to new generals
President Lee Jae Myung, left, and Air Force Gen. Jin Yong-sung, the nominee for Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, pose after Lee awarded a symbolic sword to Jin during a ceremony at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday awarded symbolic swords to seven newly promoted generals, including Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) chairman nominee Air Force Gen. Jin Yong-sung.
At a ceremony at the presidential office, Lee presented the "samjeonggeom" sword to Jin, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the deputy commander of the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, the Army chief of staff and the chief of naval operations.
Jin, who was promoted to four-star general, must first undergo a confirmation hearing before being formally appointed.
As commander in chief, the president bestows the swords on generals as a traditional symbol of national defense, unity and prosperity.