Ministry of National Defense Mentioning Classified Information to Avoid Criticism

Minister of National Defense Seo Wook is attending the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th, listening to Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum's remarks. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense is facing controversy after admitting operational details that were previously kept confidential. When confronted with criticism that a reckless second operation caused a COVID-19 outbreak among the 34th Cheonghae Unit, the ministry exposed the situation of the kidnapping of Korean nationals. There are concerns that the announcement was premature while the kidnapping situation remains unresolved.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 28th, the ministry stated yesterday afternoon, "We considered deploying the Cheonghae Unit to the area in response to the recent kidnapping of our nationals." It also emphasized, "One of the basic missions assigned by the people under the agreement to extend the Cheonghae Unit's deployment is to protect our nationals in emergencies."

This is the first time the Ministry of National Defense has revealed that the 34th Cheonghae Unit was deployed to respond to the kidnapping situation. It is interpreted that the ministry disclosed the operation details to justify the operation amid a flood of criticism that the reckless second operation caused a COVID-19 outbreak.

The ministry also explained, "At that time, there were two cases of crew kidnapping by pirates in the area this year, so the deployment was decided to prevent further damage to our vessels and to support the release."

However, concerns have been raised that the move was premature as the local operation has not yet been completed. Defense Minister Seo Wook also officially mentioned the port of call of the 34th Cheonghae Unit. Since there had been restraint from both inside and outside the military to avoid exposing the Cheonghae Unit's operational area, this was criticized as an inappropriate remark.

On the 26th, at the National Assembly's Defense Committee, Minister Seo Wook explained the situation to Kang Dae-sik, a member of the People Power Party who pointed out the failure of vaccine administration, saying, "We mainly cooperated with Oman, the port of call, but it did not go well."

Considering that the Cheonghae Unit operates in the Gulf of Aden off the east coast of Africa, it is presumed that the port of call mentioned by Minister Seo is Muscat Port in Oman on the Arabian Peninsula.

A government official said, "The Ministry of National Defense mentioned the kidnapping incident to avoid criticism as public opinion intensified, but this action contradicts the ministry's previous stance that operations are confidential and should not be disclosed externally, and it appears to be an inappropriate action against national interests."