President Moon: "Today's Security Must Change to a Comprehensive Concept"

Mask Removed for Photo Session at Samjeonggeom Sword Award Ceremony for Mid- and Senior-Level Promotions... "Strength Is Greater Within the Sheath"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the afternoon of the 2nd, President Moon Jae-in emphasized at the ceremony for awarding the Samjeonggeom ribbons to newly promoted lieutenant generals held at the Blue House State Guest House that "the concept of security today must change to a comprehensive security concept that protects the people from all threats to their safety, including infectious diseases, terrorism, and disasters, beyond just military threats."

President Moon urged, "Please recognize that you are the main actors protecting the people from these non-traditional comprehensive security threats and strengthen your resolve." On this day, President Moon tied ribbons (suchi, 綬幟) on the Samjeonggeom (三精劍) swords of 16 newly promoted lieutenant generals.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok explained, "The Samjeonggeom is a sword symbolizing a general, and the suchi is a ribboned flag given as an award, engraved with the position, rank, name, and the president's name," adding, "Commander-in-chief President Moon tied the ribbons on the 16 promotees and took commemorative photos individually with the promoted generals and their spouses."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Moon emphasized, "The suchi attached to the Samjeonggeom today is a symbol of promotion to lieutenant general. It contains everything: dedication to the military for many years for the country, pride, self-esteem, and honor of walking the path of a soldier."

President Moon said, "You have been fully recognized for your abilities and have undergone strict verification to be promoted and assigned positions," adding, "You carry the responsibility and mission to walk the honorable path of a soldier and deeply understand the mission of the military and the importance of national defense. However, now that you have become the military leadership, I have a few requests."

The first request from President Moon was about the concept of ‘comprehensive security.’ He mentioned in detail how newly commissioned nursing officers and military doctors were deployed to the forefront of quarantine efforts immediately upon commissioning during the response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), how military hospitals were provided as screening clinics, and how soldiers even participated in blood donations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "The military’s dedication is the primary contributor to winning the war against the virus," and expressed gratitude to Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo sitting beside him and the entire military.

Additionally, President Moon emphasized ‘security that creates peace.’ Spokesperson Kang explained, "It is fundamental to have the power to repel and punish ‘anyone’ who invades our territory or territorial waters and threatens the lives and safety of our people, and the instruction was to further develop deterrence so that ‘no one’ dares to provoke us."

President Moon said, "The sword is not stronger when drawn and swung; it is stronger when sheathed."

President Moon urged consideration of South Korea’s elevated status. Spokesperson Kang said, "President Moon mentioned that U.S. President Trump is promoting a G11 or G12 system including South Korea and that South Korea is recognized as a global model in infectious disease response, saying, ‘Now the people finally realize that we are an advanced country. Our military must also become the military of such a nation.’"

President Moon referred to the fact that the U.S. military power assessment organization Global Firepower (GFP) ranked South Korea 6th in the world this year based on conventional forces, emphasizing advanced scientific equipment, developed technology and systems, and command and control authority.

Spokesperson Kang explained, "Among the newly promoted lieutenant generals receiving the Samjeonggeom today, Army Logistics Command Commander Park Joo-kyung, Navy Operations Command Commander Lee Jong-ho, 5th Corps Commander Kim Hyun-jong, and Air Force Academy Superintendent Park In-ho pledged during their remarks to devote themselves to practicing the three requests of Commander-in-chief President Moon and to becoming a proud military."

Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, who presided over the meeting, said, "Originally, the suchi awarding ceremony was planned for May, but it was postponed due to social distancing measures caused by the coronavirus. I am grateful that spouses were invited this time."

Spokesperson Kang explained, "As Minister Jeong said, the event was originally scheduled for May, but the military requested postponement because it was difficult to hold the honorable Samjeonggeom suchi awarding ceremony while wearing masks. Therefore, the date was changed to today. The suchi awarding ceremony held today at the Blue House State Guest House was conducted without masks."

In his closing remarks, President Moon said, "Once again, congratulations on your promotion, and thank you to your spouses," adding, "If you keep the thrilling sense of mission you felt when you were assigned your promotion and position until the end, it will lead to much greater achievements."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.