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Gen. Suh Wook

“Building military confidence between South and North Korea is an important task that’s necessary for establishing a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said Gen. Suh Wook, the newly appointed chief of staff of the Republic of Korea Army, on Apr. 16.

“I will support the government’s efforts to build military confidence by pursuing the tasks given to the military, such as clearing mines and recovering remains in the DMZ, in a timely and safe manner, while also ensuring that our readiness is not degraded.”

the newly appointed chief of staff of the Republic of Korea Army

During his swearing-in ceremony, held at the Gyeryongdae military complex in North Chungcheong Province, Suh promised to “preserve peace on the Korean Peninsula through great strength.” Suh undertook his official duties on Tuesday after receiving the army flag, which symbolizes his authority, from Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo.

“Implementing ‘National Defense Reform 2.0’ is a command from the people and a mission for our age that cannot be delayed any longer. The ground force’s capabilities must be focused efficiently on a transformation into a stronger and smarter army,” Suh asserted.

“We must train a joint staff of professionals from South Korea and the US and develop a system for supporting continued operations. Through this, I will actively support strengthening South Korea and the US’ joint defense capabilities and ensuring our stable recovery of the wartime operational control of our troops, while meeting the conditions,” Suh added.

A swearing-in ceremony was also held at the Gyeryongdae parade ground on Tuesday for Gen. Won In-choul, the new chief of staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force, who received the air force flag during the ceremony, symbolizing his command.

“I will make every effort to defend the sovereign airspace and national interests of the Republic of Korea and to build a cutting-edge air force capable of responding to multi-directional threats,” Won said during the ceremony.

“In order to maintain a firm stance of military readiness, we must possess a sophisticated war-fighting capability that can respond to threats from multiple directions based on mental firmness and confidence,” Won stressed.

“This year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the air force’s establishment, the air force has acquired powerful assets utilizing cutting-edge weaponry, including the F-35A stealth fighter, tanker aircraft, and high-altitude unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. Rather than growing complacent, we must go even further, even higher, toward space and the future through the development of aviation and space assets that integrate the fourth Industrial Revolution and key next-generation technology,” Won said.

“I will optimize and efficiently develop the air force’s unit structures, personnel structure, and military strength structure in accordance with the concept of future joint operations and methods of war-fighting. I will do my best to meet the requirements for retrieving the wartime operational control of our military without any issues.”

during his swearing-in ceremony at the Gyeryongdae military complex in North Chungcheong Province on Apr. 16. (Yonhap News)

Another swearing-in ceremony was held on Tuesday at Ground Operations Command, in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, for Gen. Nam Young-sin, who assumed his responsibilities as the new head of the command following the ceremony. The unit flag for Ground Operations Command was handed to Nam by the chief of the staff of the ROK Army, and the flag of the Ground Component Command was handed to him by the commander of ROK-US Combined Forces Command. The commander of Ground Operations Command also leads the Combined Ground Component Command during wartime.

“I will further strengthen the South Korea-US alliance, under Commander Robert Abrams, in order to smoothly carry out the operations of the Combined Ground Component Command during wartime. At the same time, I will go about meeting the requirements for the handover of wartime operational control, which will be a major turning point in the changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula,” Nam said. The First and Third ROK Field Army Commands merged into the Ground Operations Command in January to streamline military operations.

“During this historical time of transition toward peace and prosperity, the original mission of the armed forces has not changed. We will continue carrying out the mission we have been given, so that we can become an army beloved by the people and powerful enough to win battles with the enemy, and so that the Republic of Korea can enjoy peace and safety.”

By Yoo Kang-moon, senior staff writer

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