The Presidential Office on Kim Kwan-jin's Nomination as Defense Innovation Committee Member: "The Right Person for Defense Innovation"

Announcement of Defense Innovation Committee Establishment... Presidential Office "No One as Knowledgeable as Former Minister Kim"

The Presidential Office on the 10th evaluated the appointment of former Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin as a civilian member of the Presidential Commission on Defense Innovation, stating that he "has the highest level of expertise in defense innovation." President Yoon Suk-yeol has appointed former Minister Kim as a vice-chairman-level member of the Defense Innovation Commission, which is set to launch soon.

A Presidential Office official met with reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and said, "Our military has undergone three major defense reforms over the past 20 years. During that process, former Minister Kim Kwan-jin played a key role as a practitioner, middle manager, and Minister of National Defense," adding, "There is no one who knows as much about defense innovation issues and improvements as former Minister Kim Kwan-jin. We considered him the right person and appointed him."

In particular, the official added, "Regarding our defense innovation, there is probably no one who understands the problems and what needs to be improved better than former Minister Kim," and "Although there are eight civilian members, considering experience and seniority, I think former Minister Kim will take on the role of chairperson."

President Yoon plans to establish the Defense Innovation Commission to deliberate and coordinate the basic plans necessary for advancing a science and technology-strong military, a key national agenda. The Defense Innovation Commission will be chaired by President Yoon and composed of the Director of the National Security Office, the Minister of National Defense, four retired generals, and four experts in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. Previously, in December last year, the government deliberated and approved the presidential decree on the "Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the Defense Innovation Commission" at the Cabinet meeting.

Former Minister Kim, who has been appointed as a member, served as Minister of National Defense for three years and six months during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations, and was immediately appointed as the Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, stepping down after the inauguration of former President Moon Jae-in. Former Minister Kim is known for applying the three major retaliation policies?'strike at the point of provocation,' 'attack on enemy command,' and 'action before reporting'?in peacetime exercises, which reportedly made North Korea fearful.

However, after the Moon administration took office, former Minister Kim was investigated and detained in connection with the "political comments incident" involving the Cyber Command of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in the first trial and two years and four months in the second trial, but in October last year, the Supreme Court overturned and remanded some charges, including abuse of power, acquitting him on those counts.

Meanwhile, a Presidential Office official explained regarding reports that the Ministry of Personnel Management sent a notice to commence the hearing procedure for Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, "Since the head of the agency has been indicted, I think the government ministry is naturally taking the legal measures it must." Regarding the appointment of former Minister Kim, the official said, "Former Minister Kim is expected to be appointed as a civilian member of the Innovation Commission. The agency head and commission members are different, so there is no legal issue with the appointment."

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