Joint Chiefs Chairman Nominee: "Close North Korea-China-Russia Ties... Closely Monitoring Military Technology Transfers"

On China's Unveiling of New Weapons Systems:
"We Must Also Prepare for the Future"
On Restoring the September 19 Agreement:
"Need to Ease Tensions... Ensure Thorough Security Readiness"

On September 4, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman nominee Jin Youngseung commented on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrating close ties by attending China's 80th Victory Day military parade. He stated, "North Korea has established relations with Russia through troop dispatches, and although we thought it was distant from China, it is now drawing closer under the pretext of this Victory Day. We will closely monitor any military technology transfers to North Korea."

Yonhap News Agency

Jin made these remarks in response to reporters' questions as he arrived for his first day at his office in the Army Club in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He said, "The fact that Chairman Kim stood side by side with the leaders of China and Russia (at Tiananmen Square) carries significant implications for the Republic of Korea and our military."

Jin added, "Although I observed various weapons systems at China's Victory Day event yesterday, we must also strive to become a military prepared for the future. To achieve all this, we must earn the trust of the people and communicate effectively with them."

Regarding China's display of the DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which can strike the U.S. mainland, and several manned-unmanned complex forces that are key to future battlefields, Jin said, "While the ICBM was newly unveiled, what is more important are weapons such as multiple warhead glide body ballistic missiles that threaten the Korean Peninsula. As there is a possibility of technology transfers in these areas, the Joint Chiefs of Staff will keep a close watch."

Jin also addressed the restoration of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement being pursued by the Lee Jaemyung administration, stating, "It is necessary to ease tensions and build trust with the North at the front lines, but in the process, we must thoroughly check our military's readiness for security and ensure that no shortcomings arise."

Regarding the National Policy Planning Committee's policy to transfer wartime operational control during the current administration's term, he said, "The transfer of operational control is necessary, but the timing and process must take various conditions into account, and above all, it should only proceed when thorough preparations have been made between South Korea and the United States. The foundation must be a strong South Korea-U.S. alliance."

On suspicions that the Joint Chiefs of Staff condoned or acquiesced to the December 3 Martial Law, Jin prefaced his comments by saying, "First, martial law is something that should never occur." He continued, "The nature of the military is that when the command system issues an order, soldiers are fundamentally educated and trained to obey. In that series of events, I believe the Joint Chiefs of Staff carried out the procedures it could." Regarding suspicions of North Korean drones over Pyongyang, he added, "We must respond firmly to any situation in which the enemy threatens us, and our response must adhere to legal procedures and standards."

Jin emphasized, "The first step toward building a military that can fight and win is to become a military trusted and loved by the people. Based on the Commander-in-Chief's directives and the Minister's command guidelines, I will work with each service chief and commander as a team to ensure our military is trusted and relied upon by the people."