Air Force general tapped to top military post in sweeping post-martial law reset

September 8, 2025

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Air Force general tapped to top military post in sweeping post-martial law reset

Jin Yong-sung’s nomination signals Lee Jae-myung’s push for reform, OPCON progress and restored civilian control

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman nominee General Jin Yong-sung, ROK Air Force Black Eagles jets flying over Seoul, South Korea’s Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile and a U.S.-ROK river-crossing drill during the 2025 Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise | Image: KBS via YouTube, Korea Pro (Oct. 1, 2024), ROK Presidential Office Archives (Oct. 1, 2024), ROK Army (Aug. 27, 2025), edited by Korea Pro

President Lee Jae-myung has nominated Air Force General Jin Yong-sung to serve as South Korea’s next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), part of a sweeping replacement of all seven four-star generals aimed at restoring military professionalism and strengthening civilian control after former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law attempt last year.

If confirmed by the National Assembly, Jin would become the first Air Force officer in three years to lead the JCS.

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