Yoon names new defense chief in surprise reshuffle over North Korean threats | NK News
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October 03, 2026Oct 03, 2026

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Yoon names new defense chief in surprise reshuffle over North Korean threats

ROK president taps security service head Kim Yong-hyun for role and moves Shin Won-sik to national security adviser

South Korea’s Presidential Office announced a surprise reshuffle of top security officials responsible for overseeing defenses against North Korean threats, citing increasing global security challenges like Pyongyang’s growing military ties with Russia.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has tapped defense minister Shin Won-sik to serve as new national security adviser after less than a year in his current role, while naming Presidential Security Service chief Kim Yong-hyun as Shin’s successor.

Current National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jinwill transition to serving as Yoon’s special adviser for foreign affairs and security, a newly created role that resembles a similar position under the previous Moon