Early military overhaul to quell unease in ranks
Published: 15 Sep. 2009, 02:00
The Lee Myung-bak administration yesterday launched a high-level military leadership overhaul, naming Army General Lee Sang-eui as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the overhaul involves six Army generals, including Lee. Five lieutenant generals were also promoted to full generals. A four-star general, Lee, 58, has headed the Third Army Corps since last year. The general will succeed General Kim Tae-young as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs following President Lee’s recent cabinet shake-up. Kim was named as Lee’s new defense minister.
After a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, General Lee’s appointment will be formally approved by President Lee. General Lee is a native of Sacheon, South Gyeongsang.
Lieutenant General Han Min-koo was selected to be promoted as the Army Chief of Staff, the ministry said. Of the eight four-star general posts in the military, Air Force General Lee Gye-hoon and Navy Admiral Jung Ok-keun will retain chiefs of staff of their respective services.
General Hwang Eui-don was promoted to a four-star general post and was named as vice commander of the U.S.-South Korean Combined Forces Command. Hwang has been in charge of military intelligence operations and had also served as the commander of the Korean contingent deployed in Iraq. The combined forces command is the joint headquarters of the Korean and U.S. militaries. The command is headed by General Walter Sharp of the United States, who also commands the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed here.
Three more lieutenant generals were also promoted yesterday and named to key posts. General Jung Seung-jo was named commander of the First Army Corps., while General Lee Chul-hyee was designated as the new commanding general of the Army Second Operations Command. General Kim Sang-ki was named to head the Third Army Corps.
“These changes are aimed at uniting the nation’s military and creating conditions for the military to best perform their duties,” said Kwon Doo-hwan, a senior official of the Defense Ministry in charge of personnel affairs planning. The routine promotion of the general-level officers was expected to take place in early October, but the administration advanced the timing to smooth over any disturbance in the military. “It is a move to reduce rumors and reinforce the hierarchy and command control in order to stabilize the military,” Kwon said. The military has experienced unease after an internal rift between the defense minister and his deputy over the Blue House’s plan to cut next year’s defense budget was made public. The military also faced criticism for having failed to evacuate campers after North Korea discharged water from a dam into the Imjin River without warning this month. The resulting flash flood killed six South Koreans.
By Ser Myo-ja, Kim Min-seok [[email protected]]
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the overhaul involves six Army generals, including Lee. Five lieutenant generals were also promoted to full generals. A four-star general, Lee, 58, has headed the Third Army Corps since last year. The general will succeed General Kim Tae-young as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs following President Lee’s recent cabinet shake-up. Kim was named as Lee’s new defense minister.
After a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, General Lee’s appointment will be formally approved by President Lee. General Lee is a native of Sacheon, South Gyeongsang.
Lieutenant General Han Min-koo was selected to be promoted as the Army Chief of Staff, the ministry said. Of the eight four-star general posts in the military, Air Force General Lee Gye-hoon and Navy Admiral Jung Ok-keun will retain chiefs of staff of their respective services.
General Hwang Eui-don was promoted to a four-star general post and was named as vice commander of the U.S.-South Korean Combined Forces Command. Hwang has been in charge of military intelligence operations and had also served as the commander of the Korean contingent deployed in Iraq. The combined forces command is the joint headquarters of the Korean and U.S. militaries. The command is headed by General Walter Sharp of the United States, who also commands the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed here.
Three more lieutenant generals were also promoted yesterday and named to key posts. General Jung Seung-jo was named commander of the First Army Corps., while General Lee Chul-hyee was designated as the new commanding general of the Army Second Operations Command. General Kim Sang-ki was named to head the Third Army Corps.
“These changes are aimed at uniting the nation’s military and creating conditions for the military to best perform their duties,” said Kwon Doo-hwan, a senior official of the Defense Ministry in charge of personnel affairs planning. The routine promotion of the general-level officers was expected to take place in early October, but the administration advanced the timing to smooth over any disturbance in the military. “It is a move to reduce rumors and reinforce the hierarchy and command control in order to stabilize the military,” Kwon said. The military has experienced unease after an internal rift between the defense minister and his deputy over the Blue House’s plan to cut next year’s defense budget was made public. The military also faced criticism for having failed to evacuate campers after North Korea discharged water from a dam into the Imjin River without warning this month. The resulting flash flood killed six South Koreans.
By Ser Myo-ja, Kim Min-seok [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)