Yoon: "Respond Firmly to North Korean Provocations"

President Yoon Awards Samjeonggeom Sword Plaques to 18 Newly Appointed Senior and Mid-Level Officers

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attaching an insignia to the Samjeonggeom sword of Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan during the general officer appointment report and Samjeonggeom insignia awarding ceremony held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the morning of the 7th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 7th, President Yoon Suk-yeol urged newly appointed lieutenant generals and generals to "respond firmly if North Korea provokes through practical training exercises."

On the morning of the same day at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon received appointment reports from 18 lieutenant generals, including newly appointed Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan, and said, "North Korea is carrying out unprecedented nuclear threats and missile provocations, putting our security in a serious situation," urging them accordingly.

President Yoon awarded the Samjeonggeom to these officers. The Samjeonggeom is a sword awarded to those promoted to brigadier general, symbolizing patriotism, unification, and prosperity. Those promoted to lieutenant general or higher receive a Samjeonggeom along with a sash (a flag made of string) engraved with the recipient's position, rank, name, and the president's name. At this event, President Yoon encouraged those who will lead the military and instructed them to maintain a thorough military readiness posture.

Meanwhile, the award ceremony was attended by the Minister of National Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and from the Presidential Office, the Chief of Staff, the National Security Advisor, the Deputy National Security Advisor, and the Defense Secretary.