Preparation Begins for Minister of National Defense Confirmation Hearing
"All Means Are Open in Case of North Korean Nuclear Threat"
Kim Yong-hyun, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, stated on the 16th that while the South Korea-U.S. alliance is fundamental in responding to the North Korean nuclear threat, all means and methods are open.
On the morning of the same day, Kim, upon arriving at his office set up in the Army Hall within the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, met with reporters and was asked about the possibility of independent nuclear armament. He responded, "The response to the North Korean nuclear threat is fundamentally based on extended deterrence and the nuclear umbrella." He added, "However, from the standpoint of prioritizing the safety of the people, if it is judged that these measures are insufficient to handle the North Korean nuclear threat, all means and methods are open." Kim has previously raised the necessity of independent nuclear armament.
Kim emphasized, "The security situation on the Korean Peninsula and globally is very severe, and I bear a heavy responsibility," adding, "This is a time when the national security posture must be firmly established more than ever." He continued, "Securing advanced weapons is important, and military cooperation with allied countries is also important, but more important is the morale of our soldiers," highlighting "especially the improvement of service conditions and treatment for junior and mid-level officers." Kim pledged, "I will make military service for junior and mid-level officers rewarding, honorable, and a subject of admiration."
Regarding North Korea's complex provocations such as trash balloons, he said, "The most important thing is the safety of the people," and added, "We will carefully judge what is the best measure to ensure the safety of the people and implement it."
The Ministry of National Defense has formed a task force (TF) for the confirmation hearing and has begun full-scale preparations. Kim is from Masan, Gyeongnam, and is one year senior to President Yoon Seok-yeol at Chungam High School. He is a graduate of the 38th class of the Korea Military Academy and one class junior to the current Minister Shin Won-sik. He has held key positions such as Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander of the Capital Defense Command, and Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retiring as a lieutenant general in 2017. He led the relocation of the presidential office from the Blue House to the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan and served as the first head of the Presidential Security Service under the current administration, closely assisting President Yoon for over two years. He is highly regarded for his understanding of the diplomatic and security vision of the military commander-in-chief.
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