Trump chooses McMaster as his national security adviser

U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster as his new national security adviser, replacing Michael T. Flynn, who was fired for his alleged secret communication with Russia. McMaster is the current director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center and is known for his expertise in strategic intelligence in the U.S. Army.

After an interview with McMaster at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday, Trump introduced McMaster to reporters. “He is a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience," Trump said. McMaster graduated from West Point and earned a doctoral degree in History. He is famous for his expertise in intelligence strategy, which gave him a nickname “warrior thinker.” McMaster developed a counterinsurgency manual during the Iraq war in 2007 and has been respected as an anti-terrorism expert in the U.S.

It has been told that McMaster seriously considers that North Korea’s nuclear capability is real, suggesting that the U.S. administration will continue to maintain a tough stance on Pyongyang. “North Korea is not only equipped with advanced conventional arms but also has capabilities for nuclear armament, which is particularly threatening to us,” McMaster told audience during his lecture at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in May of last year.

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com · Gi-Jae Han record@donga.com