[Lee Jaemyung Powerman] Ahn Kyu Baek Nominated as First "Civilian Defense Minister in 64 Years" [AK Radio]

An Expert Who Spent Most of His Five Terms on the Defense Committee
A "Second-Generation Politician" Following His Father, a Former Provincial Council Member
A Former Party Official Known for His Gentle Yet Resolute Demeanor

Defense Minister nominee Ahn Kyu Baek has drawn attention as the first "civilian Defense Minister in 64 years." If appointed as is, he would be the first non-military figure to serve as Defense Minister in 64 years. Although former Defense Ministers Lee Gibung, Kim Yongwoo, and Kwon Jungdon were also civilians, the last "civilian Defense Minister" was Hyun Seokho during the Chang Myon Cabinet. Hyun served as the 9th (1960.8.23~9.12) and 11th (1961.1.30~5.18) Defense Minister. He was also a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party. Since nominee Ahn completed his military service as a defense duty soldier, if he becomes Defense Minister, he will also hold the title of "the first Defense Minister from the defense duty corps."

Nominee Ahn was nominated on June 23. Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, explained, "He has served as a member and chair of the National Assembly's Defense Committee for most of his five terms as a lawmaker, giving him a deep understanding of the military. He will be responsible for leading and managing the changes in the military mobilized under martial law." Nominee Ahn expressed his thoughts, saying, "I will devote all my efforts to realizing true national defense and rebuilding the military as the people's armed forces."

He was born in April 1961 in Daesan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, as the second son among three sons and four daughters. His father, Ahn Kinam, served as the township head and as the chairman of the Gochang village credit union. In 1952, his father was elected as a provincial council member of Jeollabuk-do as a candidate from the Liberal Party. In this sense, nominee Ahn can be considered a "second-generation politician." He graduated from Gochang Elementary School, Chosun University Middle School, Gwangju Seoseok High School, and majored in philosophy at Sungkyunkwan University, where he also earned a master's degree in trade.

He began his political career in 1988 as a member of the first open recruitment class of the Peace Democratic Party, starting as a party newspaper reporter. Over nearly 30 years, he served as Director of Organization and Director of Local Autonomy at the Millennium Democratic Party, among other positions, making him highly knowledgeable about party affairs. After entering the National Assembly, he served as Head of Strategic Public Relations, Secretary-General, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party, and Chairman of the National Assembly's Defense Committee. During the last presidential election, he served as Chief Special Advisor for the campaign.

On June 29, at Chungmu Dongsan in the Navy 2nd Fleet Command, Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, Defense Minister nominee An Kyubaek is touching the bas-reliefs of the naval battle heroes during the "23rd Anniversary Ceremony of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong Victory." Photo by Yonhap News

He first entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative in the 18th term, and then served four consecutive terms representing Dongdaemun-gu Gap from the 19th to the 22nd terms, making him a five-term lawmaker. Except for about two years, he has spent 15 years focused on the Defense Committee, making him one of the lawmakers most knowledgeable about military affairs. In addition, as the nation experienced martial law, the symbolic significance of a "civilian Defense Minister" has become more prominent than ever. This is why he was nominated as Defense Minister.

Nominee Ahn disclosed that he has assets totaling 7.2 billion won. He has 2.97 billion won in deposits under his own name and 1.99 billion won in deposits under his spouse's name, with total deposits exceeding 4.9 billion won. It is speculated that his father's status as a prominent figure in the Gochang region may have influenced this. He is known for his gentle demeanor, rarely raising his voice, yet he is also resolute. He has three sons, all of whom completed their military service in the Army and Marine Corps.

During the 12·3 Martial Law, he was the person who recognized that former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon was on the arrest list and informed Han's side. Nominee Ahn personally revealed this fact on a broadcast. Immediately after the declaration of martial law, he obtained the list of arrestees from the Counterintelligence Command, saw that Han was included, and informed Representative Kim Sungwon of the People Power Party.

Defense Minister nominee Ahn Kyu Baek is responding to reporters' questions as he enters the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Army Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on June 27. Photo by Yonhap News

If nominee Ahn becomes Defense Minister, he is expected to face numerous pressing issues, including efforts to normalize the military, responding to the rapidly changing security environment, and preparing for North Korea's increasingly sophisticated nuclear capabilities. As expectations for a "civilian Defense Minister" are high, there is also a significant burden to meet those expectations.
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