ID :
182639
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 10:31
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/182639
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Defense minister vows military reforms amid backlash from retired generals
SEOUL, May 17 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin vowed on Tuesday to push ahead with military reforms to make the armed forces slimmer but more efficient, amid a backlash from some retired generals.
The reform measures, unveiled by Kim in March in response to North Korea's two deadly attacks last year, call for the military to streamline its top command structure and give more power to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to enhance the interoperability of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Some retired generals have publicly voiced opposition to the reform measures, claiming that the moves could weaken the commanding authority of chiefs of the Navy and Air Force. Traditionally, four-star Army generals have assumed the JCS chairmanship.
"Military reforms come up at the request of the people, so we need to thoroughly implement the reforms to make the military stronger, speedier and slimmer," Kim said at a briefing session on the reform measures with retired general-grade officers.
However, Kim said he would do his best to gather opinions from retired generals and admirals to try to minimize possible divisions within the three armed branches.
"I believe military reforms can be achieved only if active-duty and retired officers become one," Kim said.
About 140 retired general-grade officers attended the briefing session, but former four-star generals of the Navy and Air Force skipped the session, in an apparent show of opposition.
More than 2,000 retired general-grade officers are members of the Korea Retired Generals and Admirals Association, which has served as an influential group in shaping defense-related policies.