Seoul’s new defense chief warns North Korea ‘provocations’ will lead to its end



News Seoul’s new defense chief warns North Korea ‘provocations’ will lead to its end South Korea’s defense policy is unlikely to change under Kim Yong-hyun’s leadership, according to expert Jeongmin Kim \| Joon Ha Park September 6, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Kim delivering his inaugural speech as defense minister \| Image: ROK Ministry of National Defense (Sept. 6, 2024) Seoul appointed a controversial retired lieutenant general as defense minister on Friday, who stated that the North Korean regime would face its “end” if it provoked South Korea during his inaugural speech. Kim Yong-hyun served as the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff’s (JCS) chief of operations from 2015 to 2017. He oversaw presidential security throughout Yoon Suk-yeol’s term so far, and was appointed defense minister without parliamentary approval. Kim’s confirmation hearing was held earlier this week. During his inaugural speech, Kim reiterated his stance that North Korea would pay a “gruesome price” if it provoked the South. “If [the enemy] © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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Seoul’s new defense chief warns North Korea ‘provocations’ will lead to its end

South Korea’s defense policy is unlikely to change under Kim Yong-hyun’s leadership, according to expert

Jeongmin Kim | Joon Ha Park September 6, 2024

Seoul’s new defense chief warns North Korea ‘provocations’ will lead to its end

Kim delivering his inaugural speech as defense minister | Image: ROK Ministry of National Defense (Sept. 6, 2024)

Seoul appointed a controversial retired lieutenant general as defense minister on Friday, who stated that the North Korean regime would face its “end” if it provoked South Korea during his inaugural speech.

Kim Yong-hyun served as the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff’s (JCS) chief of operations from 2015 to 2017. He oversaw presidential security throughout Yoon Suk-yeol’s term so far, and was appointed defense minister without parliamentary approval. Kim’s confirmation hearing was held earlier this week.

During his inaugural speech, Kim reiterated his stance that North Korea would pay a “gruesome price” if it provoked the South.

“If [the enemy]

About the Authors

Jeongmin Kim

Jeongmin Kim is Executive Director at Korea Risk Group, based in Seoul. She covers inter-Korean relations and North and South Korean foreign and military affairs. Kim has covered the 2022 ROK presidential election on the ground, and prior to joining NK News, she worked for the CSIS Korea Chair in Washington D.C. and Reuters news agency’s Seoul bureau.

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Joon Ha Park

Joon Ha Park is a correspondent at Korea Risk Group. He has previously written on issues related to the two Koreas at The Peninsula Report, and appeared on ABC News Australia, Deutsche Welle and Monocle Radio. He specializes in offering in-depth analyses of South Korea’s defense policy, security relations and domestic politics for Korea Pro.

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