S. Korean President names new military commanders

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday named seven new military commanders in the first major reshuffle of the military leadership since he took office in early May.

Air Force General Jeong Kyeong-doo, the Air Force chief of staff, was nominated to serve as the chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS), Xinhua news agency reported.

It marked the first time in 23 years that an officer hailing from the Air Force was named as the top commander of the South Korean military.

It was also the second time in history that an Air Force commander was named to lead the JCS.

The nomination was passed through the cabinet meeting earlier in the day.

The JCS chief nominee is subject to a parliamentary confirmation hearing, but not required to be approved by the parliament.

The nomination reflected Moon's resolve to reform the military, which has long been dominated by the Army generals, analysts said.

Moon named Song Young-moo, the former chief of naval operations, as the Defence Minister in his cabinet. He also named chiefs of the army, air force and navy.

--IANS

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