South Korea’s new defense minister visited the country’s frontline army division facing North Korea on Monday, starting his tenure by emphasizing “punishing” the DPRK’s military aggressions.

President Yoon Suk-yeol appointed Shin Won-shik over the weekend without parliamentary approval. The former three-star lieutenant general turned lawmaker known for his hawkish views on North Korea previously vowed to suspend the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement as soon as he assumes office.

“In the past, North Korea had conducted large-scale provocations against South Korea during previous administrations’ two- to three-year mark periods,” Shin told soldiers and senior officers Monday. “If the enemy carries out