The Defense Ministry appointed Moon Sang-gyun, a retired one-star general with expertise in North Korean affairs, as its new spokesperson Monday.

Moon, 54, replaced Kim Min-seok, a former defense analyst and journalist who had represented the agency for the last five years. His two-year term took effect immediately. 

Having led the inter-Korean military talks in 2010-11, Moon is a specialist in North Korea policy and negotiations, the ministry said.

“I feel immense responsibilities given the present grave situation,” he said during his maiden news briefing, referring to Pyongyang’s fourth nuclear test last month.

“As the new spokesperson, I will do my role in tackling the crisis and make utmost efforts for fair news reporting by evenly sharing information based on facts.”

Since he entered the Korea Military Academy in 1985, Moon has taken up various key posts, including deputy director-general for arms control and director for North Korea policy at the ministry, as well as the 3rd regimental commander of the 7th Infantry Division and chief of staff at the 27th Infantry Division.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)