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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