|
New naval chief vows strong defense against North Korean threat
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new naval chief Vice Adm. Kim Sung-chan pledged Friday to maintain a strong maritime defense against North Korea by diversifying the Navy's operational capabilities.
"From this moment on, I shall dedicate myself solely to the nation and the military and focus on protecting the nation's seas and the Northern Limit Line," Kim said during a change of command ceremony attended by Defense Minister Kim Tae-young and military chiefs.
The Northern Limit Line, or NLL, was drawn up by the U.S.-led United Nations Command at the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War and serves as the de facto inter-Korean maritime border. The North, which is still technically at war with the South as their conflict ended in a truce rather than a permanent peace treaty, refuses to recognize the border and has often raised military tensions near the area.
"I will try my best to create strong, multifunctional and high-efficiency troops that win every battle," the 56-year-old vice admiral added. "Let's become the Navy that the nation and its people trust and the enemy fears."
Kim, an arms and defense policy specialist with broad experience in naval operations, replaces Adm. Jung Ok-keun, who is retiring after 40 years of active service. Jung headed the Navy for two years.
The new navy chief earned a master's degree in international politics at Kyonggi University after graduating from the Naval Academy and formerly served as the head of the Navy's arms planning bureau, commander of Jinhae Base and vice naval chief.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
| 
Home
