Jeong Kyeong-doo

Jeong Kyeong-doo (; born 13 September 1960) is a South Korean politician and military officer who served as the 46th minister of national defense from 2018 to 2020. He was a former fighter pilot and General of the Republic of Korea Air Force serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Air Force Chief of Staff.

Early life and education Jeong was born on September 13, 1960, in Jinju, South Korea. He graduated from Daea High School in 1978. Jeong graduated from the Korea Air Force Academy in 1982. He studied at the Air Command and Staff Course (in 1995) and the Air War Course (in 2005) of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), Jeong also has a MA in Management of the Graduate School of Business, Hannam University in 2002. In 2018 he was promoted to as Moon's second defense minister.

Controversy

The "Republic of Korea Guardian Reserve Forces", a newly formed group of Korean Armed Forces retired generals and reservists led by General Paik Sun-yup, which its members included three former defense ministers, a former chief of the South Korean joint chiefs of staff, and commanders of the navy and marines, oppose the Sept. 19 agreement of President Moon Jae-in due to the engagement with North Korea has gone too far. The group of retired generals condemned Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo for "pandering to politicians".

Religion Jeong follows the Protestantism religion.

Effective dates of promotion