New Air Force chief calls for complete combat readiness

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- New Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Kye-hoon on Thursday vowed to build a force that is ready and capable of defeating any enemy threat, also noting the need to boost the country's aerial surveillance capabilities.

"We must work to develop our armed services in order to maintain combat readiness
and ensure victory under any situation, and to possess the capabilities and
systems that can prepare us for any type of threat," the new chief of the Air
Force said during his inaugural ceremony held at Air Force Headquarters in
Daejeon.
The 55-year-old lee replaced Gen. Kim Eun-ki, who retired after 39 years of
service. Lee had served as the deputy chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until
his appointment.
A native of South Jeolla Province, Lee has served in various posts in the Air
Force since he was commissioned in 1975, including commander of the 8th Strategic
Fighter Wing and deputy commander of Air Force Operations Command.
Lee has a master's degree in government administration from Seoul's Dongguk
University