Acting Commander Kang Ho-pil Appointed as New Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Army Ground Operations Command Commander Son Sik (General) is stepping down due to deteriorating health. Deputy Chief of Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kang Ho-pil (General), who had been acting commander, is expected to take over the position.
According to a military official on the 2nd, "Commander Son's health has been continuously worsening recently, so the change of command ceremony is scheduled for the 4th."
Deputy Chief Kang has been serving as the acting Ground Operations Command commander since the 4th of last month. Last month, he personally led the 'Ground Operations Command Long-Range Firepower FTX' exercise. This exercise is a live maneuver training aimed at annihilating enemy long-range firepower threatening the Seoul metropolitan area in the shortest possible time during emergencies.
Commander Son was reportedly diagnosed with worsening health at a general hospital at the end of last month. Initially, the military was considering replacing him during the autumn general officer personnel reshuffle, but due to his continued health decline, the change of command ceremony was moved up. It is known that his predecessor, former Commander Jeon Dong-jin, also experienced health issues.
A military official stated, "Due to personal circumstances of the Ground Operations Command commander limiting his ability to perform duties, considering the current security situation, GOP and maritime/coastal defense operational readiness, and unit command, it is understood that the decision to retire was made."
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