Yonhap News Agency, joongang Ilbo and other South Korean media reported Tuesday that South Korean president Lee Jae-myung has nominated a former Member of Parliament and a fifth-term member of the Common Democratic Party, Ahn Kyu Bak (pictured) , as his candidate for Defense Minister. If the nomination is approved by Parliament, he will become South Korea’s first civilian defense minister since 1961.
Kang Hun Jong-sik, head of the Presidential Secretariat, announced the names of 10 candidates including Foreign Minister, Unification Minister and Minister of Science, Technology and information and Communication at a press conference Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reported. South Korean media said the personnel adjustment will help the government to implement a pragmatic“Foreign, security and economic” policy, in particular in easing tensions on the peninsula, rebuilding National Trust and other key roles.
Among the many ministerial nominees, defense minister candidate Anguber arouses wide concern in the Korean media. The 62-year-old, who was born in Gorgoon County, North Jeolla Province, is a Sungkyunkwan University graduate who entered politics in 1987 as a member of the Democratic Party’s predecessor, the Peace and Democracy Party. In 2008, Anguber was elected to Congress and served five consecutive terms.
It is worth mentioning that Anguber did not have a high-ranking military background, only as a guard to complete the compulsory military service, to the rank of private first class discharged. After 14 years in the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, and in the 20th session of the National Defense Committee Chairman, is a rare South Korean lawmakers, “National Defense.”. Korean media analysis said that in a member of the standing committee is usually replaced every two years, and the national defense commission is not“Popular” political reality, anguber’s decades-long“Focus on defense” has demonstrated a solid professional background. In addition, Anguber’s nomination marks a break with the long-standing practice of the defence ministry being occupied by military-backed figures, and a symbol of the Lee Jae-Myung administration’s determination to promote “Military-political separation”.
Reported that since 1961, all 39 South Korean defense ministers are soldiers, 33 of them for the army, the vast majority of the rank of lieutenant general or general. Although the Defense Minister has an institutional role of“Supervising the military on behalf of the people,” the position has long been held by the military, leading to a virtual civilian oversight mechanism and a blurring of military-political boundaries.
This problem in the“12.3 emergency martial incident” concentrated exposure. At that time, as a lieutenant general of Defense Minister Jin Longxian was accused of“Civil unrest mastermind”, triggered a strong social backlash. Lee Jae-myung’s nomination is widely seen as a first step towards fulfilling a campaign pledge to strengthen civilian control and reshape the military’s image.
According to the central daily, Anguber has not only demonstrated a tough stance in overseeing the military, but has also taken the lead in pushing for related legislation to improve the treatment of military officers and the development of the defense industry, so in the military also obtain a certain degree of trust and recognition. The report also said that Anguber is one of Lee Jae-Myung’s core confidants, the presidential campaign served as the Chief of the Election Response Committee Special Assistant Head, and led the establishment of “With the People Forum” to provide policy support to Lee Jae-Myung.
The The Hankyoreh said the nomination was more symbolic than the staffing arrangements themselves. The nomination of a Civil Defence Minister is an institutional attempt to restore the normal system of military rule and marks a substantial step forward in the reform of the military system by the new government.
However, South Korea’s largest opposition party National Power Party 24 or will serve as defense minister Anguber expressed concern. Party spokesman Hu Zhunxi said there was a major danger of politicians rather than professional soldiers in charge of national defense at a time of high tension on the peninsula. Because of the special nature of the defense minister, the post should be held by a person with the highest military professionalism and should be highly trusted within the military, Hu said.
“A game commentator and a player are two different things,” he added. “No matter how much experience he has in the defence sector, I don’t see why a politician should be a defence minister.”. Some South Korean media analysis said that whether Anguber can dispel doubts about his identity as“Political defense minister” and effectively manage the army in the special environment after the country just experienced“Emergency martial law incident.” It has become the core issue of Korean politics and public opinion.
Although some voices have questioned Anguber’s lack of military experience, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo said Anguber has long been involved in defense affairs and has the ability to coordinate military-political relations, it is hoped that reforms will be pursued while maintaining stability in the military system.