Ruling Party Attacks New Candidate's Past Remarks
Opposition Party Nominates Experts for Key Military Positions
At the confirmation hearing for Shin Won-sik, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, held by the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, a heated debate ensued over Shin's past remarks.
At the hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th, the opposition party raised concerns about Shin's past statements attacking former President Moon Jae-in and others, arguing that he is an unfit candidate.
Democratic Party lawmaker Seol Hoon criticized Shin's controversial remarks supporting the May 16 and December 12 military coups, saying, "He holds thoughts that are absolutely unacceptable," and added, "If such a person becomes Minister of National Defense, it would be no different from nurturing the seeds for a recurrence of military coups in the future."
Justice Party lawmaker Bae Jin-kyo also demanded his voluntary resignation, stating, "The fact that he relentlessly hurled abusive language at the sitting president simply because their thoughts and political positions differ already proves he is unqualified to serve as Minister of National Defense."
On the other hand, some defended him by saying these were statements made as a private citizen. Seong Il-jong, the ruling People Power Party's floor leader, introduced past instances of harsh remarks made by opposition lawmakers, such as calling Park Chung-hee a 'gwitae' (a derogatory term meaning 'monster' or 'devil') who should never have been born, and saying 'the Lee Myung-bak administration should be killed,' arguing, "This is not a matter of ruling or opposition," and "The nominee was also a private citizen and made various intense remarks during his time as a civic activist," thereby defending him.
The controversy over relocating General Hong Beom-do to the Korea Military Academy (KMA) also came under scrutiny. Shin has previously expressed support for this move.
Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Hu-deok pointed out, "General Hong Beom-do is an honorary graduate who received an honorary diploma from KMA," and questioned, "If he becomes minister, is he planning to revoke and burn General Hong Beom-do's honorary diploma?" In response, People Power Party lawmaker Lee Heon-seung countered, "The Korea Military Academy is a place that trains the national military," and asked, "Is removing the bust of a figure who does not align with the ideology of liberal democracy a violation of KMA's identity?"
Additionally, Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min raised suspicions about the concealment of the cause of the so-called 'Private Lee Il-byeong death incident' in 1985, in which Shin was allegedly involved. Regarding this, Shin stated, "If that story is true, I will resign as Minister of National Defense immediately."
In response to the opposition's attacks, the People Power Party emphasized Shin's experience in key positions within the Ministry of National Defense, highlighting his suitability. Lawmaker Lee Chae-ik praised him as "a truly valuable defense expert who has experience in both field and policy areas," while fellow party member Lee Heon-seung complimented him for having "rich experience, expertise, and leadership in defense policy and military operations."
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