Air Force chief tapped to lead Joint Chiefs of Staff in generals shakeup

From left, Jeong Kyeong-doo, Kim Yong-woo, Lee Wang-keun, Kim byung-joo, Park Jong-jin, Kim Woon-yong, and Park Han-ki / Yonhap

President Moon Jae-in named Air Force Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Tuesday in a major reshuffle of the military leadership that also affected six other general-grade posts.

The nomination of Jeong, the Air Force chief of staff, is viewed as reflecting the president's resolve to reform the nation's 625,000-strong armed forces, long dominated by the Army.

The Ministry of National Defense cited growing North Korean and missile threats.

"In the reshuffle this time, the capability of pushing strongly for defense reform amid stability and expertise on combined and joint operations were taken most into account" it said, adding seniority was less considered.

As the Cabinet passed the pick and the National Assembly will soon decide a schedule for his confirmation hearing, which many regard as a formality.

If the nomination is approved, Jeong will replace Army Gen. Lee Sun-jin, who is retiring after a two-year stint. He would be the nation's first JCS chairman hailing from the Air Force in 23 years. (Yonhap)