Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea)

Member ofJoint Chiefs of Staff

Reports to

• President of South Korea
• Minister of National Defense

Residence22, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea

Seat22, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
대한민국 합동참모의장
Insignia of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Flag of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Incumbent General Jin Young Seung, ROKAF since 30 September 2025
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Member of	Joint Chiefs of Staff
Reports to	President of South Korea Minister of National Defense
Residence	22, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea
Seat	22, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea
Nominator	President of South Korea with approval of the National Assembly
Appointer	President of South Korea
Formation	17 February 1954; 72 years ago (1954-02-17)
First holder	General Lee Hyong-kon
Deputy	Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Website	jcs.mil.kr

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Korean: 대한민국 합동참모의장; Hanja: 大韓民國合同參謀議長; RR: Daehanminguk habdongchammouijang) is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The position was based to its US Armed Forces Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff but has operational differences. Unlike its US counterpart, the Chairman possesses full administrative and operational control of the entire armed forces and its overall operational commands (Army, Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps).

In accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 2 of the Armed Forces Organization Act, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is responsible for assisting the Ministry of National Defense in the creation of commands, strategies, and doctrines related to national security and defense throughout the country. The Chairman also prescribes orders and directions to all the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, namely the Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force on various defense matters and oversees the entire organizational and operational activities of the armed forces. The Chairman harmonizes coordination, joint planning, and preparedness of all armed forces commands and has the power to initiate various programs towards the military. The Chairman serves as the primary advisor to the President of South Korea, who serves as the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and executes the President's directives and orders regarding military-related affairs in both peacetime and wartime.