Army unit chief named new ground operations commander

▲ This Nov. 19, 2025, file photo, provided by the Army, shows Lt. Gen. Lee Sang-lyeol, who has been nominated as the new Ground Operations Commander. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

military-commander

Army unit chief named new ground operations commander

SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- Army Lt. Gen. Lee Sang-lyeol was tapped as the new chief of the Ground Operations Command on Monday, the defense ministry said, about two months after the former commander was relieved from duty over suspicions of martial law involvement.

Lee, who currently leads the 3rd Corps, will be promoted to the rank of a four-star general for his new role. He is expected to be formally appointed by President Lee Jae Myung following deliberation at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

The defense ministry said Lee is an experienced commander with a variety of combat experience and commanding skills to bolster a firm military readiness posture in the current security situation of the Korean Peninsula as well as uncertainties in the global security situation.

It said Lee is also the "most appropriate person" equipped with the leadership to strengthen the capabilities of the future ground forces and lead theater operations with his rich understanding and strategic knowledge of ground operations.

In February, the ministry relieved both the Chief of Naval Operations and the Ground Operations Commander from duty over their alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in late 2024.

Upon Lee's official appointment, all seven four-star general posts in the military are set to be filled. The new Navy chief took post last month.

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