The President named a former Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Kim Kwan-jin, as the Minister of National Defense.

General Kim was born in 1949 in Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province) and first joined the military as a cadet in the 28th class of the Korea Military Academy. In the approximately 40 years since his graduation, he has fulfilled his duties mainly in policy planning departments and units in the field. As a true soldier, he has held various posts as the Commander of the Second Corps of the Army, Director of the Operation Center of the JCS and the Commander of the Third ROK Army before serving as the Chairman of the JCS.

He is well known for extensive expertise and great insight in military policy and strategy. While in office, he streamlined military processes, skipping interim reports, thus demonstrating reform-minded characteristics and strong drive. General Kim has stated his views with conviction in numerous decision-making processes. He is a typical serviceman equipped with levelheaded and exemplary leadership.

The country is faced with a critical situation; the defense ministry is called on to fulfill its mission at a time when the complicated dynamics of national interests are intertwined with those of neighboring countries. Under an international order of unlimited competition, the Ministry is obligated to maximize national interests, while at the same time protecting life and property.

In naming the Defense Minister, the Government also considered the need to carry out defense reform conducive to substantially advancing the defense system as well as enhancing jointness.

The Government also recognizes the need to have a defense minister who is able to resolutely and expeditiously make wise decisions in a crisis situation. In this way, the public’s trust in the Armed Forces will be restored and the morale of the military personnel boosted. In addition to that, the Government took into account the fact that the new minister should be a person who is respected both inside and outside the military community for his professional knowledge, firm conviction and integrity.