New Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo vowed on the 25th to "strengthen military leadership against North Korea and respond immediately, strongly, and relentlessly to any provocations by the enemy."
At the inauguration ceremony of the 44th Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman held at the Yongsan Joint Chiefs of Staff parade ground, Chairman Kim said, "Our military must possess the strength and dignity of a tiger capable of winning under any circumstances. Through this, we must instill fear in the enemy and trust in the people."
He emphasized, "The purpose of the military's existence is to protect the nation and its people. To achieve this purpose, we must not rely on the goodwill of the enemy but trust in our own strength."
He continued, "To build a military with the strength and dignity of a tiger, the Joint Chiefs of Staff will serve as a large playground and shield so that all soldiers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps can focus solely on the enemy without fear of responsibility for the results, thinking and acting only on combat."
Chairman Kim also pledged efforts to expedite the establishment of the Korean-style 3-axis system to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, advance the joint, combined, and integrated defense operation systems, and expand advanced military capabilities.
Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik stated in his inaugural address, "If provocations occur under the pretext of suspending the effectiveness of the September 19 military agreement, we must 'respond immediately, strongly, and resolutely according to principles until the end.' We will make North Korea deeply realize that acts undermining peace are the prelude to destruction."
After the inauguration ceremony, Chairman Kim Myung-soo began his official duties by visiting the Joint Chiefs of Staff Combat Control Room to inspect the military readiness posture against North Korea.
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