ROK ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 003768 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR KS KN SUBJECT: ROK ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF APPOINTED AS MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE Classified By: POL/MC JOSEPH Y. YUN. REASONS: 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) On November 1, 2006 the Blue House announced the nomination of ROK Army (ROKA) Chief of Staff General Kim Jang-soo as South Korea's next Minister of National Defense. General Kim is a widely respected infantry soldier who rose smartly through the ranks and was the first in his academy class to be promoted to general. He went on to become ROKA Chief of Staff in April 2005. Prior to that assignment, he was Deputy Commander of the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command (CFC) for nearly a year when his predecessor was discharged after being convicted of embezzlement of Army funds. General Kim received his fourth star in May 2004. Of the four cabinet-level appointments made today, General Kim's is the least controversial. Advocate of Transformation -------------- ¶2. (C) General Kim is a highly-regarded leader who can be expected to guide the increasingly able ROK military on its continuing path toward modernization. Currently, he is leading a transformation of the ROK Army that will result in a significantly reduced, but better trained and equipped land-based force under the ROK Defense Reform Plan 2020. Prior to his stint at CFC, he was Director of Operations (J-3) for the ROK JCS, where he was heavily involved in the decision to send the South Korean "Zaytun" Detachment to Iraq. He last traveled to the United States for an official counterpart visit in January 2006, the primary purpose of which was to learn more about the U.S. Army's transformation plan. During that visit, General Kim reportedly strived to understand the practical benefits of transformation, so as to apply them to the ROK Army. Approval Expected -------------- ¶3. (C) General Kim's nomination is likely to be approved by the National Assembly without difficulty. First, because the appointment of a career military man will be widely applauded within the halls of MND. Second, because he is considered more a professional than political choice, the opposition is likely to target more controversial figures appointed today to other important positions on the President's national security team (reported septels). Kim's origins do, however, send a political message. He was born in the Jeolla region in the South, an area that has historically suffered from a 
long-standing bias within the ROK government and military. Kim was the third successive Jeolla native to serve as Deputy Commander of CFC. His appointment as Minister of National Defense sends another clear message about President Roh's attempt to reform the South Korean military by removing regional prejudices, not to mention his own courting of Jeolla votes for the ruling party. ¶4. (C) Kim's selection will necessarily lead to other personnel moves within the ROK military and MND. The most notable person likely to be affected is Assistant Minister Kwon An-do. Kwon is in the same class as General Kim and could therefore be expected to tender his resignation (NOTE: Within the hierarchical culture of Korean society, it is considered inappropriate to serve under someone unless they are senior to you in age and rank). Because he plays a particularly valuable role as MND's point man on the important issue of U.S.-ROK Alliance Transformation, Kwon could be asked to remain in his position awhile longer. Asked to comment on that, MND America Policy Division Director (Colonel) Chun In-bum said he expects Kwon will remain in place "for at least another month." Other moves within the ROK Army will be necessary as Kim must be replaced as service chief. Furthermore, the ROK General Officer promotion list will be published on November 3rd, resulting in a further shuffling of general officers over the next six months (to be reported septel). BIOGRAPHY -------------- ¶5. (C) Career Bio of General Kim Jang-soo. 1971 Korean Military Academy, Class 27 1982-84 Battalion Commander, 9th Division 1984-88 Ground Operations Officer, J3, JCS 1988-89 Chief of Staff, 11th Division 1989-91 Commander, 5th Regiment, 7th Division 1991-93 Chief, Plans Division, First ROK Army (FROKA) 1994-95 Chief, Operations Division, Capital Defense Command 1994 Promoted to Brigadier General 1995-96 Commandant, KMA Cadet Corps 1996-97 Chief, Operations Division, FROKA 1997 Promoted to Major General 1997-99 Commanding General, 6th Infantry Division 1999-01 Director of Operational Planning, J-3, JCS 2001 Promoted to Lieutenant General 2001-03 Commanding General, 7th Corps 2003-04 Director of Operations, J-3, JCS 2004 Promoted to General 2004-05 Deputy Commander, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. 2005- Chief of Staff, Army High Order Decorations: Order of National Security Merit (Gukson Medal) 1996 Order of National Security Merit (Chonsu Medal) 2002 Personal Data: KIM Jang-soo was born in 1948 in Kwangju, Jeolla province. He is married to Pak Hyo-suk. They have one son and one daughter. He is the only South Korean four-star general from Jeolla and one of two four-star generals from Korean Military Academy (KMA),Class 27. He has a Master of Arts degree from the Graduate School of Public Administration at Yonsei University, and his military education includes attendance at the Korean National Defense University in 1989. General Kim has also attended the German Military Academy. He speaks only rudimentary English. According to DAO reporting, Kim is said to be proud and unselfish, and is well respected and liked his officers. He is an outstanding officer with a strong personality and good sense of humor. General Kim is also an excellent golfer and enjoys playing often. VERSHBOW