SEOUL, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun conducted an annual reshuffle of top military brass by replacing seven four-star generals on Tuesday.

    Roh named Gen. Rhee Sang-hee, head of the 3rd Army, as new chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to a statement of the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND).

    Roh also appointed Gen. Kim Jang-soo, deputy head of the South Korean-US Combined Forces Command, new Army chief of staff, the release said.

    Roh named Vadm. Nam Hae-il, head of Naval, Educational and Training Command, new Navy chief of staff, after promoting him to the rank of four-star generals, the MND said in the statement.

    Lt. Gen. Kim Kwan-jin, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's operations bureau, was appointed as new commander of the 3rd Army,the release said. Kim was also promoted to a four-star general, itadded.

    The commanderships of the 1st and 2nd Armies went to Lt. Gen. Kim Byung-kwan, chief of the 7th Corps and Lt. Gen. Kwon Young-ki,president of National Defense University, respectively, the release said. Both Kim and Kwon were promoted to four-star generals.

    The 1st Army's mission is to defend the eastern section of the demilitarized zone between South Korea and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). While, the 3rd Amy, South Korea's largest combat organization, is responsible for guarding the western part of the inter-Korean border. The 2nd Army is responsible for protecting the rear area,

    On explaining the above appointment, Kwon Young-jun, head of the MND's personnel management bureau, was quoted by South Korean Yonhap News Agency as saying "This personnel appointment focused on candidates' reformist mindset that can push for military reform and their capacities as military leaders."

    Kwon said his ministry will conduct a follow-up personnel shake-ups of lower-level military officers next month, Yonhap reported.

    South Korea's 680,000-member military has more than 440 general-grade officers, eight of them four-star generals. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Han-ho was not affected by Tuesday's personnel changes, as his two-year tenure is to expire in October. Enditem