Suh Wook Explained

Suh Wook^[1] (; 12 May 1963), also known as Seo Wook, is a former Minister of National Defense served under President Moon Jae-in^[2] from 2020 to 2022. He is President Moon's first defense minister with an Army background, as his predecessors came from other branches of the Armed Forces.^[3]

Upon the beginning of Moon's presidency in 2017, he was reshuffled to Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as its chief director of operation before promoted as Chief of Army Staff in 2019.^[4]

From 2011 to 2014 Suh served at ROK-US Combined Forces Command. He then served as commanding general of the First Corps from 2016 to 2017.^[5]

Suh is a Korea Military Academy graduate and holds two degrees - a master's in military strategy from the Korea National Defense University and a doctorate in political science from Kyungnam University.^[6]

Suh was arrested on October 22, 2022, due to covering up facts in the killing of Lee Dae-jun, a South Korean fisheries official who was killed by North Korean soldiers. The Democratic Party of Korea claims the arrest of Suh and Kim Hong-hee who was the Coast Guard chief, are believed to be politically motivated charges. However the government says that there was evidence that the incident was mishandled by officials at the time. Some sources say that the two may have also abused power during the incident.^{[7] [8] [9]}

Suh is a Catholic.

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions^[10] !Insignia!Rank!Year

	General	2019
	Lieutenant General	2016
	Major General	2014
	Brigadier General	2010

References

1. Web site: Republic of Korea Army. 2020-08-28. www.army.mil.kr.
2. Web site: South Korean army’s chief of staff nominated to serve as new defense minister. Stars and Stripes.
3. Web site: 이 . 치동 . 2020-08-28 . (2nd LD) Army chief Gen. Suh Wook tapped as defense minister: Cheong Wa Dae . 2020-08-28 . . en.
4. Web site: 2020-08-28. South Korea nominates Army Chief of Staff Suh Wook as new defense minister. 2020-08-28. NK News. en-US.
5. Web site: 2020-08-28. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Suh Wook named as new defense minister. 2020-09-05. The Korea Times. en.
6. Web site: Minister Suh Wook Profile.
7. Web site: Former South Korean defence chief arrested over official killed by North . 2022-10-22 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213081328/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3196867/ex-south-korean-defence-minister-coastguard-chief-arrested-over-official-killed-north . 2023-02-13 . live .
8. Web site: More evidence of mishandling in death of Lee Dae-jun. Kim. Arin. October 17, 2022. The Korea Herald.
9. Web site: Former defense minister, ex-Coast Guard chief arrested. October 23, 2022. koreajoongangdaily.joins.com.
10. Web site: 서욱 :: 네이버 인물검색 . 2020-08-28 . people.search.naver.com.

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