Kwon Seong-dong: "Defense Minister Must Be Appointed Soon... President Should Not Deny Command of Armed Forces"

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Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, asserted that President Yoon Seok-yeol must appoint a new Minister of National Defense as soon as possible for national security. He also clarified that the principle is that the command authority over the armed forces currently resides with President Yoon.

Kwon Seong-dong, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, is giving his acceptance speech at the 2024 People Power Party floor leader election members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

After meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik at the National Assembly on the 13th, Kwon told reporters, "I don't know about other ministers, but I think it is not desirable to leave the head of national security, who is responsible for national security, vacant for a long time," adding, "North Korea might take advantage of this chaotic gap to carry out some actions. The Minister of National Defense must be appointed promptly." This was in response to criticism that President Yoon is exercising personnel authority over the Minister of National Defense.

When asked whether it is correct that the president holds the military command authority, Kwon replied, "Unless the president is impeached, the president holding the command authority over the armed forces is a constitutional principle that no one should deny." He added, "Because the president is not properly fulfilling his role as president, I think it is necessary to quickly appoint a Minister of National Defense who can take responsibility for the security of the Republic of Korea."

Earlier, after former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun resigned taking responsibility for the emergency martial law incident, President Yoon nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as the candidate for Minister of National Defense. Ambassador Choi declined the candidacy. President Yoon then offered the candidacy again to Rep. Han Ki-ho of the People Power Party, but it is known that Rep. Han also showed reluctance.

Regarding Strategic Planning Deputy Chairman Shin Ji-ho of the People Power Party's statement on CBS Radio that "I received a report that Floor Leader Kwon said he cannot prevent impeachment," Kwon said, "I don't know where or what story was heard, but I think it is not worth commenting on that," drawing a clear line.

Deputy Chairman Shin appeared on the radio that day and said, "Someone who happened to witness Floor Leader Kwon meeting and talking with someone at a cafe in Dogok-dong, Gangnam, Seoul last night, and also making phone calls, reported this to me," adding, "If that content is true, I think it could be serious."

Additionally, Floor Leader Kwon explained, "I requested Speaker Woo to take the lead regarding the Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally proceeding with the National Assembly's agenda," and "Since now is an opportune time to amend the constitution, I asked Speaker Woo to take the lead so that discussions on constitutional amendment can take place."

Speaker Woo is reported to have responded positively to Kwon's request for constitutional amendment discussions. Park Tae-seo, chief public relations officer for the National Assembly Speaker, said, "This incident revealed the problems of the presidential system, and since the Speaker is also a proponent of constitutional amendment, it was a fundamental suggestion that discussions on this matter are necessary at this time." It is said that Speaker Woo and Floor Leader Kwon did not discuss constitutional amendments related to shortening the term of office.