Defense Committee Chairman Sung Iljong: "Civilian Defense Minister?... Lee Jaemyung Doesn't Even Know the Basics of Appointments"

On May 26, Representative Sung Iljong of the People Power Party, who serves as the chairman of the National Assembly Defense Committee, criticized Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung's remark that "it is desirable for a civilian to serve as Minister of National Defense," saying, "We cannot entrust the lives and property of the people to someone who does not even know the basic principles of personnel appointments."

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung arrived in front of Paldalmun Yeongdong Market in Paldalgu, Suwon City, where a focused campaign rally was held on the 26th, and is getting out of the car. Photo by Yonhap News

At a briefing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, that afternoon, Sung stated, "It is simply unbelievable that this is the pledge of someone who wants to become the commander-in-chief of the armed forces."

Sung explained, "National defense is an issue concerning national security and is the most complex among specialized fields," adding, "Whether active-duty or civilian, the position must be filled by the best expert of the time."

He went on to say, "It would be problematic for someone to become commander-in-chief with the shallow idea of appointing a civilian just to gain votes," and pointed out, "When a sergeant is discharged, he becomes a civilian. Drawing a distinction between civilians and active-duty personnel is merely a tactic to divide votes."

Sung also remarked, "The Democratic Party once pledged to increase the number of non-lawyer Supreme Court justices, but withdrew the pledge after it sparked public outrage," and added, "Appointing a civilian as Minister of National Defense is an extension of the idea of appointing a non-lawyer as a Supreme Court justice."

Earlier that day, candidate Lee Jaemyung, after a meeting with students at Ajou University in Suwon, spoke to reporters about strengthening civilian control over the military and said, "It has been customary to appoint a military officer as Minister of National Defense, but now it may be more desirable to appoint a civilian to the position."