▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) hands over the Navy flag to the incoming chief of naval operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul (R) at the Gyeryongdae military headquarters in Gyeryong, some 145 kilometers south of Seoul, in this photo provided by the Navy on March 25, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Navy chief-inauguration

(LEAD) New Navy chief vows to strengthen naval power by combining manned-unmanned combat capabilities

(ATTN: UPDATES with defense minister's remarks in last 4 paras; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul took office Wednesday as the new Navy chief, pledging to strengthen the operation's naval power by combining manned and unmanned combat capabilities.

Kim was named Monday as the new Navy chief to replace his predecessor, Adm. Kang Dong-gil, who stepped down from his post over his alleged involvement in the botched martial law bid in late 2024.

"Under dire security situations, the calling of our Navy and the Marine Corps is to protect the people's lives, and the nation's prosperity and security through naval power strong enough to ensure no one can undermine the maritime sovereignty of the Republic of Korea," Kim said in his inauguration address.

To achieve this goal, Kim said he would strengthen the readiness posture of the naval forces by enhancing its current capabilities and advancing artificial intelligence-based manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combat capabilities.

MUM-T refers to an advanced combat system that mobilizes unmanned systems, such as drones, in tandem with manned forces and integrates them under a combined command system driven by AI.

Kim, who previously served as commander of the Republic of Korea Fleet, was promoted to the rank of admiral following parliamentary deliberation the previous day.

His predecessor, Kang, offered to resign earlier this month after the defense ministry imposed "heavy" disciplinary measures against him. He is alleged to have instructed his subordinate to support the establishment of the martial law command on the night of Dec. 3, 2024.

Citing the recent crisis in the Middle East and the subsequent energy supply disruptions, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stressed that maritime security is directly linked to the country's core national interest.

"By establishing a firm maritime security posture, the Navy should proudly fulfill its duty to protect the people from five great oceans and six continents," Ahn said in his congratulatory remarks.

The defense chief also underscored the need to push ahead with South Korea's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines "without a hitch" to enhance the Navy's capability to carry out missions across far-off oceans.

The United States approved South Korea's bid to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of their leaders' summit agreements released in November on bilateral security and trade.

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