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(LEAD) New JCS chief vows stern actions against NK's provocations

All News 16:41 October 07, 2015

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more info in paras 2-10)

SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff vowed Wednesday to take stern actions against any provocations by North Korea, stressing the need to strengthen combat readiness.

Army Gen. Lee Sun-jin made such a pledge at his inauguration ceremony at a time when North Korea has recently ratcheted up missile and nuclear threats.

"North Korea will likely continue to make provocations at an unexpected time and place," Lee said at the swearing-in ceremony. "If the North makes provocations, we will make it deeply regret its actions."

The 61-year-old Lee replaced Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, who has served in the post since October 2013, according to the Defense Ministry.

His inauguration came as North Korea has threatened to launch a long-range rocket or conduct a fourth nuclear test.

"We should curb the enemy's provocations based on beefed-up military posture. If the enemy poses threats to our territory and nationals, we should make it be clearly aware that losses outweigh gains," Lee said.

At a parliamentary confirmation hearing Monday, Lee vowed head-on retaliation against the North if Pyongyang launches another provocation like the shelling of a South Korean front-line island in 2010.

Lee also vowed to make efforts to boost the military posture, saying that only when the military gets stronger with confidence and capability does the public show trust in the military.

"Based on the Seoul-Washington alliance, I will make efforts to strengthen the capability for military operations and to prepare for the smooth transfer of the U.S.-held wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces to the South," he added.

Lee became the first graduate of the Army Academy to serve as the JSC head, which has been mainly dominated by graduates from the elite Korea Military Academy.

Earlier in the day, Adm. Choi stepped down from the post, wrapping up his 42-year-long military career.

Choi was the first head of the Navy to serve as the JSC chairman.

He said that he never stopped being vigilant even for an instant over the past two years in the face of North Korea's ceaseless threats.

sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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