Defense minister underscores building troops trusted by people to new military chiefs

▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha pose for a photo during Ahn's inauguration ceremony at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in Gyeryong, some 140 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept. 3, 2025, in this photo provided by the Army. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This composite file photo released by the defense ministry on Sept. 1, 2025, shows (from L to R) Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman nominee Air Force Gen. Jin Yong-sung, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Son Sug-rag. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

defense minister-new military chiefs

Defense minister underscores building troops trusted by people to new military chiefs

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Wednesday emphasized building a military that is trusted by the people as he attended the inauguration ceremonies of the new chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

The call came a day after President Lee Jae Myung awarded symbolic swords to seven newly promoted four-star generals, including the chiefs of the three military branches.

"Always keep in mind that a country that has lost the trust of its people cannot exist and that a military that has not earned the trust of the people cannot prevail," Ahn was quoted as saying during the inauguration ceremony of new Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Gyu-ha.

Ahn also called on the military to beef up its capabilities to respond to changes in future warfare.

"We now face a new security challenge -- the military expansion of artificial intelligence, space and cyber technologies," he said.

In response, Kim vowed to build a new and changed force to face security challenges, such as North Korea's threat.

He also apologized over the military's involvement in former ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law imposition.

"I deeply apologize for greatly disappointing and worrying the people due to the Dec. 3 martial law imposition," Kim said, pledging to conduct a "stern reform."

Adm. Kang Dong-gil and Air Force Gen. Son Sug-rag echoed the call, vowing to rebuild their forces into those trusted by the people while maintaining a firm readiness posture.

The defense ministry announced a major reshuffle of top military brass on Monday, which included the promotion and nomination of the three military chiefs as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.

The latest shake-up marked the first such reshuffle under the Lee Jae Myung government, which effectively replaced the top military brass who were incumbent during last year's martial law imposition.

Air Force Gen. Jin Yong-sung, who was named to lead the JCS, must first undergo a confirmation hearing before he is formally appointed.

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