[Profile] Im Jong-deuk, Deputy Director of the 2nd Security Office... Expert in Defense and Security Policy, Former Blue House Defense Secretary

Im Jong-deuk, Deputy Director of the National Security Office Photo by the Presidential Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Retired Army Major General Lim Jong-deuk (58) was appointed as the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office on the 21st. During his active duty, he was regarded as a defense policy expert mainly responsible for policy and strategic planning at the Blue House, Ministry of National Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Deputy Director Lim is from Yeongju, Gyeongbuk. He graduated from the Korea Military Academy in 1986 and earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Gyeongnam University. In 2009, while serving as a colonel, he was the first Korean military officer dispatched to the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.

After his promotion to general, he served as the Deputy Chief of Strategic Planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief Secretary to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander of the 17th Division, Defense Secretary at the Blue House during the Park Geun-hye administration, Director of Education and Training at the Army Training Command, and Deputy Commander of the Capital Corps. He retired as a major general in November 2019 and joined Yoon Seok-yeol’s presidential campaign’s 'Defense Forum with the People' during last year’s presidential election.

Although recognized as a policy expert within the military, those around him describe him as a commander who decisively carried out tasks in the field and diligently cared for his subordinate soldiers by leading by example.

He has also published papers such as "The 4th Industrial Revolution and Innovation in Education and Training" (2019), "A Study on the Factors of Change in NATO in the Post-Cold War Era" (2010), and "Defense Reform 2020 and Future Tasks of the Army" (2007), and released a book titled "Beyond Weakness" last year.

The Presidential Office explained the reason for his appointment, saying, "He is recognized as a top expert in national security policy, having held key positions in defense policy and military strategy. We expect him to present sophisticated policies that can strengthen the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s flawless security posture and demonstrate national crisis management capabilities."

Immediately after the announcement by the Presidential Office, Deputy Director Lim expressed his thoughts, saying, "I feel a heavy responsibility as I take on this important role at a time when the internal and external security environment is critical."

▲ Yeongju, Gyeongbuk (58) ▲ Korea Military Academy (42nd class) ▲ Ph.D. in Political Science, Gyeongnam University ▲ Dispatched to NATO Defense College ▲ Military Advisor Office, Ministry of National Defense ▲ Deputy Chief of Strategic Planning, Joint Chiefs of Staff ▲ Chief Secretary to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff ▲ Commander, 17th Army Division ▲ Defense Secretary to the President ▲ Director of Education and Training, Army Training Command ▲ Deputy Commander, Capital Corps ▲ Evaluation Committee Member, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA)