KOREA WHO
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Minister of National Defense
Kang Shin-chul
Former Four-Star Army General Takes on Defense Reform with ROK-U.S. Combined Operations Experience [2026]
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Last Updated on Oct 22, 2026
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Minister of National Defense
Life Summary
Kang Shin-chul is South Korea's minister of national defense.
He was born in Seoul on May 4, 1968. He graduated from Kyungsung High School in Seoul and the Korea Military Academy (46th class). He earned a master's degree in military studies from the Graduate School of Peace and Security Studies at Chungnam National University.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army in 1990 and served in positions including military aide at the Ministry of National Defense, director of operations at the Army's 1st Field Army Command, and director of strategic planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
He served as secretary for defense reform and secretary for security and defense capabilities at the National Security Office, deputy commander of the Ground Operations Command, and chief of operations at the JCS.
He served as deputy commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC). After retiring from the military, he took office as South Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia in January 2026.
He took office as minister of national defense in September 2026.
As the second minister of national defense under the Lee Jae-myung administration, he was tasked with defense reforms, including the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) and the integration of military academies.
He is regarded as highly knowledgeable in military strategy, operations, and policy.
#KangShinchul #MinistryOfNationalDefense #DefenseMinister #SouthKorea #MilitaryLeadership #KoreaMilitaryAcademy #ROKUSAlliance #CombinedForcesCommand #DefenseReform #NationalSecurity
He was born in Seoul on May 4, 1968. He graduated from Kyungsung High School in Seoul and the Korea Military Academy (46th class). He earned a master's degree in military studies from the Graduate School of Peace and Security Studies at Chungnam National University.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army in 1990 and served in positions including military aide at the Ministry of National Defense, director of operations at the Army's 1st Field Army Command, and director of strategic planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
He served as secretary for defense reform and secretary for security and defense capabilities at the National Security Office, deputy commander of the Ground Operations Command, and chief of operations at the JCS.
He served as deputy commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC). After retiring from the military, he took office as South Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia in January 2026.
He took office as minister of national defense in September 2026.
As the second minister of national defense under the Lee Jae-myung administration, he was tasked with defense reforms, including the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) and the integration of military academies.
He is regarded as highly knowledgeable in military strategy, operations, and policy.
#KangShinchul #MinistryOfNationalDefense #DefenseMinister #SouthKorea #MilitaryLeadership #KoreaMilitaryAcademy #ROKUSAlliance #CombinedForcesCommand #DefenseReform #NationalSecurity