New Marine Corps Commander Kim Taesung: "An Immediate-Action 'Mighty Marine Corps'"

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu]Lieutenant General Kim Tae-seong will be inaugurated as the new Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps on the 13th.

The Marine Corps announced that at 5 p.m. on the same day, an inauguration and retirement ceremony for the 35th and 36th Commandants of the Marine Corps will be held at the parade ground of the Marine Corps Headquarters in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, presided over by Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Bu Seok-jong.

The new Commandant Kim is regarded as an expert in joint and combined operations, having served in key positions such as Commander of the 1st Marine Division, Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps Headquarters, Director of the Marine Corps Headquarters Force Planning Office, Commander of the 6th Marine Brigade, Chief of Staff of the Northwest Islands Defense Command, Landing Planning Officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Headquarters, and War Planning Officer at the Combined Forces Command Planning Staff.

He graduated first in his class from the 42nd class of the Korea Naval Academy and received the Presidential Award. He also completed the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College and is reported to have excellent English proficiency.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Commandant Kim met with reporters at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, stating, "I have been entrusted with an important responsibility during a critical security period, and I understand well the image of the Marine Corps that the people desire." He expressed his ambition, saying, "I will build a powerful Marine Corps capable of immediately concluding operations on-site whenever and wherever any incident occurs in our country."

On the same day, former Commandant Lieutenant General Lee Seung-do will retire after 39 years of military service along with his retirement ceremony. Former Commandant Lee is evaluated to have led achievements such as establishing a 'Patriotic and Loyal Marine Corps,' perfecting a winning operational readiness posture, fostering the strongest combat power, expanding capabilities to prepare for future changes and innovations, and realizing a healthy and vibrant advanced military camp.

During his tenure as commander, he served as the commander during the 2010 Yeonpyeong Island shelling and promoted the 'Reexamination of the Yeonpyeong Island Shelling.' He also contributed to building a foundation for an air-mobile Marine Corps capable of responding to future all-domain threats by publishing 'Marine Corps Vision 2049' in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps reported.

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