Candidate Kim Yong-hyun's Confirmation Hearing Likely to Be 'One Challenge After Another' [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Opposition Points to Person Behind 'Mouth-Covering Security' Incident
Suspicious Circumstances Suggest External Pressure in Investigation of Corporal Chae

The confirmation hearing for Kim Yong-hyun, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, is expected to be a "mountain after mountain" challenge. As controversies over excessive suppression during his time as head of the Security Office resurface, a fierce tug-of-war between the ruling and opposition parties is anticipated during the hearing process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, a government official said, "The nomination for the Minister of National Defense is expected to be sent to the National Assembly as early as this week."

President Yoon's decision to advance Kim's appointment has been interpreted as a move to reform the security authorities in response to incidents such as the "Sumi Terry case" and the leak of the "black agent" list from the Defense Intelligence Command. It signifies an intention to tighten military discipline. Overall, Kim's military career meets the qualifications for the Minister of National Defense. He is a former three-star general in the Army and has held key positions such as Commander of the Capital Defense Command and Director of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

However, the opposition party is preparing for a rigorous confirmation hearing for Kim. During his tenure as head of the Security Office, Kim revised the Presidential Security Act to allow direct command over soldiers and police officers deployed for security. The opposition criticized this, saying, "Is this a regression to the era of Cha Ji-chul, the security chief who protected President Park Chung-hee?" Problems continued afterward. In January, at the launch ceremony of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, security personnel forcibly removed Kang Sung-hee, then a lawmaker from the Progressive Party. In February, graduates were forcibly expelled at the KAIST graduation ceremony.

Recently, suspicions have emerged that Kim was involved in exerting external pressure on the investigation of the death of Corporal Chae. It was confirmed that from July 31 to August 9 last year, a period during which the Marine Corps investigation team was suspected of being pressured, Kim had multiple phone calls with then Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop and then National Security Office Defense Secretary Im Ki-hoon. The opposition is protesting, saying, "At a time when national security is more critical than ever, the suspect of investigation interference has been appointed to the ministerial position."

However, there are also forecasts within and outside the military that President Yoon will push through the appointment even if the opposition does not adopt the report.