Jin Youngseung Inaugurated as Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff: "Will Dedicate Myself to Soldier's Mission Focused on National Interest and Practicality"

Kim Myungsoo's Change-of-Command and Retirement Ceremony Also Held

On September 30, Jin Youngseung, the newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated, "We will transform into an armed forces that earns the trust of the people, is strong enough to win in battle, and is prepared for the future." He added, "In any situation, I will maintain sound judgment and balance, dedicating myself to my mission as a soldier with a focus on national interests and practicality."

Chairman Jin made these remarks during his inaugural address at the change-of-command and retirement ceremony for the 44th and 45th Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held at the Joint Chiefs of Staff parade ground in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He emphasized, "It is most important to unite the hearts of the military and restore the honor and trust in our armed forces by remaining faithful to our essential duty of protecting the people and upholding constitutional values."

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Chairman Jin also stated, "In response to complex security threats, we will maintain strong deterrence across all domains and become a robust shield for national security by building readiness and capabilities to guarantee victory in times of crisis." He continued, "We will establish core military capabilities and a combined and joint operations system for Korea-led combined defense, systematically advance the transfer of wartime operational control, and foster military power that aligns with future battlefield environments based on artificial intelligence and advanced science and technology."

After the inauguration ceremony, Chairman Jin will visit the Joint Chiefs of Staff Combat Control Room to inspect military readiness, marking his first official work. Chairman Jin is expected to urge, "Let us dedicate all our capabilities so that the military, like an unshakable mountain, remains steadfast in its mission solely for the people and the nation, earning their trust once again," and "I ask that every member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff faithfully carry out their duties and create synergy through unified teamwork based on close communication."

Meanwhile, former Chairman Kim Myungsoo, who concluded his 41-year military career with the change-of-command and retirement ceremony on this day, expressed his gratitude in his farewell address, saying, "I sincerely thank the soldiers and civilian personnel who became one team and fulfilled their duties during difficult times." He added, "Now, as I return to being an ordinary citizen, I will always pray for and support the Republic of Korea and the military, which have been my entire life."

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