Seoul appoints new defence chief

South Korea has named its former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff as the new defence minister amid growing criticism of the government's response to a deadly attack by North Korea.

General Kim Kwan-jin, a 61-year-old career soldier, is replacing Kim Tae-young who resigned on Thursday two days after the attack on the small South Korean island of Yeonpyeong left four people, including two marines, dead.

"[We] think nominee Kim, well-respected for professionalism and conviction, is the right person for the post in order to restore trust from people and boost morale in the entire military," Hong Sang-pyo, the presidential secretary, told a news briefing on Friday.

Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reports from Seoul.

[November 26, 2010]