Lee In-goo (photo), the military facility planning officer, was appointed as the new personnel planning officer of the Ministry of National Defense on the 28th. The personnel planning officer position has traditionally been held by active or reserve generals, making this the first time a civil servant has been appointed.
The new planning officer entered public service in 2002 through the 5th-level public recruitment (37th Technical Examination). Since then, he has held positions including deputy head of the U.S. Forces Korea Base Relocation Project Office, head of the General Affairs Division, head of the Personnel Policy Division, and head of the Facilities System Technology Division.
The Ministry of National Defense evaluated him as "the appropriate person to carry out the mission of the personnel planning officer, who must prepare for the future reduction in military resources while fostering a cutting-edge strong army that the public can trust."
He added, "By appointing a civil servant to the personnel planning officer position that has been held by reserve generals, we aim to advance the civilianization of key positions within the Ministry of National Defense and ensure the principle of civilian control over the military."
The position of personnel planning officer was established in 1963. It was held by active-duty generals until May 2005, after which reserve generals took over. The previous personnel planning officer was also from the reserve general background.