Seoul: Gen. Jin Yong-sung took office as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and vowed to build a strong military in the face of what he described as "complex" security threats. Jin was appointed to lead the JCS following the first major reshuffle of top military officials since the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol after a failed attempt at declaring martial law last December.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during his inauguration ceremony, Gen. Jin emphasized the military's commitment to maintaining powerful deterrence against various security threats and acquiring capabilities to ensure victory. He highlighted the importance of focusing on the military's core duty of protecting the people and restoring public trust in the military.

His remarks came in the wake of calls for defense reform following the military's involvement in the previous year's short-lived martial law imposition. Jin expressed his vision for the military to evolve into a trusted institution, capable of prevailing in conflicts and preparing for the future. He also stressed the necessity of enhancing military capabilities for the planned handover of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea from the United States and preparing for future warfare.

"By equipping with core military capabilities and a combined and joint operation system for a South Korean military-led combined defense, (I) will lead a systemic transition of wartime OPCON and nurture military strength that is apt for a technology-based future warfare environment," Jin stated. This comes as the Lee Jae Myung government has committed to pursuing a conditions-based transition of wartime OPCON to Seoul from Washington during Lee's five-year term.

Gen. Jin, who previously served as the inaugural chief of the Strategic Command, is the first Air Force officer to lead the JCS in five years, succeeding retiring Adm. Kim Myung-soo.