The Defense Ministry on Tuesday replaced the head of its key intelligence organization, apparently

holding him accountable for failing to give timely and appropriate advice with regard to a series of recent fatal incidents in the barracks.

The ministry appointed Lt. Gen. Cho Hyun-chon to lead the Defense Security Command, replacing Lt. Gen. Lee Jae-soo, who took the post just a year ago.

It was part of the regular shake-up of generals. Many viewed it as a de facto dismissal of Lee from the post.

The military has come under fierce public criticism over several accidents and bad incidents involving soldiers. In April, a private first class choked to death after being beaten by his seniors. In June, a sergeant at a front-line base killed five of his comrades in a shooting spree. He was found to have long been bullied.

In September, two special forces soldiers suffocated during a torture training exercise that simulated the conditions they would face in captivity.

The ministry, meanwhile, said Lt. Gen. Kim You-geun has been named as the new vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lt.

Gen. Park Chan-ju was tapped as the vice chief of staff of the Army, it added. (Yonhap)