Asia-Pacific

ROK names Kim Kwan-jin as new defense minister

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-26 19:36

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK) on Friday named Kim Kwan-jin, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), as new defense minister as the former defense chief resigned to shoulder for a series of recent mishaps, Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

The 61-year-old former Army general replaces Kim Tae-young, whose resignation offer was accepted by ROK president Lee Myung-bak Thursday afternoon.

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Kim Kwan-jin, served as chairman of the JCS during the period from 2006 to 2008, was chosen as the new defense chief for his " expertise and insight in the policy and strategy fields" based on 40 years of experience in the military, Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

Earlier local media reported that Lee Hee-won, a former presidential security aide, was named as new defense minister, but Cheong Wa Dae denied it later, saying it was still screening multiple candidates for the position.

ROK president Lee Myung-bak accepted Kim Tae-young's intent to step down on Thursday, months after Kim tendered his resignation to take responsibility for the sinking of the South Korean naval frigate Cheongan off the nation's west coast in March, which left 46 sailors dead.

Lee delayed accepting the resignation offer due to a series of pressing issues at hand, such as follow-up measures to cope with the ship sinking and an annual defense ministerial meeting with Washington, presidential chief of staff Yim Tae-hee said Thursday.