The Defense Ministry has tapped Kim Kyung-ryul, commander of Naval Operations and a graduate of the Naval Academy’s class of ’47, to be the new chief of naval staff.
On the 23rd, the ministry said it will promote Vice Adm. Kim to admiral and assign him to the post. It added that the president, as commander-in-chief, is expected to formally appoint him after a Cabinet review on the 24th.
The appointment comes 19 days after Navy Chief Kang Dong-gil stepped down. If Kim is confirmed, Kang — who is serving a one-month suspension — will be automatically discharged. After Kang was removed from his duties, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Kwak Gwang-seop has been serving as acting chief.
Kim was commissioned as an ensign in 1993. As a lieutenant commander, he served as the operations staff officer for the sixth Cheonghae Unit, the escort task force operating off Somalia. After his promotion to colonel, he commanded the 23rd Cheonghae Unit aboard ROKS Choi Young. He later served as head of personnel at the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command as a one-star admiral, went on to command the 3rd Fleet, and then served as superintendent of the Naval Academy before taking command of Naval Operations.
The Defense Ministry described Kim as an expert in defense policy and operations with the operational command skills and professional expertise needed to defend Korea’s maritime sovereignty amid unstable security on the peninsula and a volatile international environment. The ministry said his strategic judgment and strong character make him well suited to lead and steady the navy.
Earlier, on the 4th, the ministry announced it had issued a heavy disciplinary measure against former Navy Chief Kang for violating his duty of sincerity related to the Dec. 3 emergency-martial-law incident. Kang offered his resignation the same day the ministry announced the discipline.
△ Born 1970 △ Naval Academy, class of 47 △ Director, Defense Policy, Ministry of National Defense △ Commander, 5th Mine/Amphibious Task Group △ Head of Personnel, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command △ Commander, 3rd Fleet △ Superintendent, Korea Naval Academy △ Commander, Naval Operations Command
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