Major Rejig In South Korean Military Leadership

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has named Air Force Gen Jeong Kyeong-doo as the new Joint Chiefs of Staff in a major reshuffle of military leadership.

The cabinet has passed the decision and the National Assembly will decide a schedule for the confirmation hearing, Yonhap reported quoting the defense ministry.

Jeong will replace Army Gen. Lee Sun-jin. Moon also promoted Army Lt. Gen. Kim Byung-ju, commanding general of the Third Corp, to the rank deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command. He served as the chief of the Army Missile Command.

Army Lt. Gen. Kim Yong-woo, head of the JCS's strategy and planning office, and Air Force Lt. Gen. Lee Wang-keun, chief of the JCS's military support office, were promoted to generals as well.

The president appointed Kim the Army chief of staff and Lee the Air Force chief of staff.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Um Hyun-seong, appointed less than a year ago, will stay in office.

In addition, Moon replaced three other top Army commanders including Gen. Park Chan-ju, who commands the 2nd Operational Command. Military prosecutors are investigating the allegations that Park and his wife abused the human rights of several "housekeeping" soldiers assigned to serve at his official residence.