National Assembly Defense Committee Adopts Personnel Hearing Report for Joint Chiefs Chairman Nominee Jin Youngseung by Bipartisan Agreement

Positive Assessment of Security Awareness and Wartime Operational Control Preparedness
Criticism Raised Over Inadequate Answers on Drone Operations

On September 29, the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly adopted the personnel hearing report for Jinyoungseung, the nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The National Defense Committee held a full session that day and passed the personnel hearing report for the nominee by bipartisan agreement.

In the personnel hearing report, the committee stated, "We positively evaluate the nominee's understanding of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, preparedness for the transfer of wartime operational control, establishment of military readiness against North Korean threats, as well as his commitment to regaining the trust of the people and the nation and restoring the pride of the armed forces."

Jinyoungseung, the nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is responding to questions from lawmakers at the Personnel Hearing held during the full session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly on September 24, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, the report also noted, "There were criticisms that the nominee's responses to questions regarding the Pyongyang drone operation and the Defense Security Command's martial law documents were unclear, indicating insufficient awareness and review. There were also various opinions and calls for the need to prepare for North Korea's declaration of 'two hostile states.' It is necessary for the nominee to take into account the issues raised during the hearing as he performs his duties as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

Born in 1969, Jinyoungseung entered the Korea Air Force Academy as part of the 39th class in 1987 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 1991. He has served as Commander of the Air Force Air Combat Command, Director of Planning and Management at the Air Force Headquarters, Director of Strategic Planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as the inaugural Commander of the Strategic Command.

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