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The Ministry of National Defense flag is handed over during the transfer-of-responsibility and inauguration ceremony for the 51st and 52nd ministers of national defense, held at the Ministry of National Defense auditorium on the afternoon of the 22nd. / Ministry of National Defense

Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul was inaugurated on the 22nd as the 52nd defense minister of South Korea. In his inaugural remarks, Minister Kang stated his intention to pursue the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) in a way that strengthens the South Korea-U.S. alliance, hinting at the possibility of visiting the U.S. ahead of the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in November to meet in person with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Meeting with the Ministry of National Defense press corps that day, Minister Kang said, "We are coordinating communication, a potential meeting with Secretary Hegseth, and my visit to the U.S.," adding, "I may visit the U.S. even before the SCM, and we can communicate thoroughly even without an in-person meeting."

Minister Kang continued, "While we cannot prejudge the outcome, I do not see a major divide in thinking between South Korea and the U.S.," emphasizing that "the OPCON transition must proceed in a direction that reinforces the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

He noted in particular that "an alliance always involves a partner, so trust matters more than conditions," adding, "A structure led by our commanders and staff, who know the South Korean military best, and supported by a strong U.S. military will prove even more formidable."

He also reaffirmed the necessity of establishing an integrated military academy combining the service academies of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Minister Kang said, "It is clear that integration is needed for education reform," explaining, "Since the master plan for integration includes the military education curricula of each service, terms like 'abolition' or 'closure' are inappropriate."

Regarding public opinion gathering during the service academies' integration process, he remarked that while whether to hold public hearings requires further review, "I will attend in person if it is a venue where diverse opinions can be heard." He added, "The goal is to create an institution capable of producing outstanding leaders in whatever form it takes."

In his inaugural address, Minister Kang underscored both a strong military and the trust of the public. He said, "We must be fierce, relentless, and lethal toward the enemy, but we must be warriors loved by the people to become a true warrior community of the nation," calling on the service members, "Let us march forward along that path together starting now."

Meanwhile, outgoing Minister Ahn Gyu-baek said in his farewell address, "As the first civilian defense minister in 64 years, I step down after fulfilling my historical duty of ending insurrection and rebuilding the people's military." He added, "Even after returning to the National Assembly, my heart will always remain with the defense family. I wish boundless glory for the future of our 550,000-strong defense community. I love you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol