Gen. Won In-chul, the nominee to become South Korea's next Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, takes an oath during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul on Sept. 18, 2020.
The nominee to become the next Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman says he will actively push for the swift transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean troops from the U.S. if he is appointed.
Air Force General Won In-chul made the pledge on Friday during opening remarks at his parliamentary confirmation hearing.
He also said the military will continue to strengthen its defense capabilities based on the Seoul-Washington alliance.
The general acknowledged recent lapses in defense security, but said he will turn over a new leaf.
Won, who currently serves as Air Force chief of staff, was tapped last month by the Moon Jae-in administration to lead the JCS.
If confirmed, he will succeed General Park Han-ki, who has held the post since October 2018.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
