South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol (left) introduces his defense minister nominee Lee Jong-sup | Image: Yoon's press office (April 10, 2022)
South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has nominated a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) under Moon Jae-in to serve as his defense minister, as the incoming administration calibrates its approach to escalating North Korea tensions since earlier this year.
At a briefing following his selection, retired three-star lieutenant general Lee Jong-sup emphasized the need to build up South Korea’s independent military capabilities while also coordinating with the U.S. to deter threats from Pyongyang.
“North Korea policy and ROK-U.S. relations are both important,” Lee said. “It is true that
South Korean president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has nominated a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) under Moon Jae-in to serve as his defense minister, as the incoming administration calibrates its approach to escalating North Korea tensions since earlier this year.
At a briefing following his selection, retired three-star lieutenant general Lee Jong-sup emphasized the need to build up South Korea’s independent military capabilities while also coordinating with the U.S. to deter threats from Pyongyang.
Jeongmin Kim is a Lead Correspondent at NK News, based in Seoul. Kim covers inter-Korean and DPRK-related foreign, defense and humanitarian affairs, and has covered the 2022 ROK Presidential election on the ground. Prior to joining NK News, she worked for the CSIS Korea Chair in Washington D.C. and Reuters news agency's Seoul bureau. Follow her on Twitter @jeongminnkim