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A measure to gradually replace major high-ranking military officers at the Defense Ministry with civilian experts, ordinary public officials, or retired generals will be promoted. Serving generals now hold 45 percent of the posts.
New Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung held a press conference Friday and said, ¡°The military can participate in the decision making process of the president and the Defense Minister and put forward its opinions. But once a decision is made, the military should accept it.¡±
Defense Minister Yoon said, ¡°With Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Kim Jong-hwan¡¯s attendance of a meeting of security-related ministers on Saturday, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would regularly attend security-related ministers¡¯ meetings and the meetings of the standing committee of the national Security Council. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff could set forth his opinions at those meetings, but should accept decisions made at the meeting.¡± Minister Yoon¡¯s remarks draw attention because they are interpreted to represent President Roh Moo-hyun¡¯s will to bring more civilian experts to the military and appoint a civilian Defense Minister at the end of his term.
Minister Yoon hinted at the reduction of military forces, saying that the number of soldiers should be gradually reduced. The number of generals would remain unchanged in compliance with the order of the president, the minister said.
In connection with the fact that the number of eligible people to be conscripted would decrease by 2008, Minister Yoon reveled a plan to elastically manage the personnel program of the ministry, saying that he would discuss the issue with commanders to adjust the number of soldiers in a way to contribute to the economy.
(Yoo Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )
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