Gov't names 3rd Army chief Gen. Kim to lead new ground command

SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Yonhap) -- The government has tapped Third Army Commander Gen. Kim Un-yong as the chief of the Ground Operation Command (GOC) to be launched next month, Seoul's defense ministry said Thursday.

As part of defense reform, the ministry plans to establish the command on Jan. 1 by merging the First and Third Armies, an integration enabled by technological advancements that have reduced operational redundancies and allowed greater efficiency.

President Moon Jae-in will officially appoint him as the first GOC commander on the same day that the command is launched.

"He has military professionalism needed to ensure a robust readiness posture and capabilities to lead ground operations," the ministry said in a press release.

Kim was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1984. He previously headed the 2nd Corps and the Third Division.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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