Asia-Pacific

ROK formally appoints new defense minister

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-04 12:23

ROK Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin answers a lawmaker's question during a hearing for him at the National Assembly in Seoul Dec 3, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL- Kim Kwan-jin, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), was formally appointed as new Defense Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Saturday, after he passed a confirmation hearing in parliament Friday, according to Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

Related readings:  ROK defense nominee vows airstrikes on DPRK  ROK names Kim Kwan-jin as new defense minister  ROK names new defense minister  ROK defense minister resigns over exchange of fire with DPRK

The 61-year-old retired four-star Army general replaces Kim Tae- young, whose resignation offer was accepted by President Lee Myung-bak following a recent artillery skirmish between the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Kim Kwan-jin, who served as chairman of the JCS 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.

During the hearing, Kim showed his tough side, saying that Seoul will respond with an air raid on the DPRK in case of further aggression.

The ROK and the DPRK remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.