[2025 Audit] Ahn Kyubaek: "Special Prosecutor's 'Osan Base Search and Seizure' Not a Matter for Consultation with U.S."

On October 17, Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyu-baek stated that there was "absolutely no need to consult with the United States" regarding the U.S. Forces Korea's protest against the special prosecutor team's search and seizure at Osan Air Base.

On the morning of the 13th, when the first national audit of the Lee Jae-myung administration began, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek is responding to lawmakers' questions at the 2025 Ministry of Defense National Audit held at the Ministry of Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

During the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit that day, Minister Ahn explained, "The search and seizure was limited to areas under the control of the South Korean military."

Regarding the Korea Air and Space Operations Center (KAOC), Minister Ahn said, "Only the entrance and exit are jointly used by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, while the interior is divided into separate areas for each side. Since the search and seizure took place in the South Korean area, we determined there was no need to notify the United States," adding, "From a broader perspective, this does not constitute a violation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)."

Minister Ahn also confirmed that he had received and was aware of the protest letter from the U.S. Forces Korea, and stated, "I was informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that the misunderstanding regarding this issue has been resolved."

It is known that on July 21, U.S. Forces Korea sent a protest letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the name of Deputy Commander David Iverson, regarding the special prosecutor's search and seizure of the Master Control and Reporting Center (MCRC) at Osan Air Base.