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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek Declines Han Dong-hoon’s Questions on Alleged Detention

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek declined to answer repeated questions from independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon about whether he had ever been held in a military detention facility.
  • Ahn said investigators were handling the matter and that the facts would become clear after he left office.
  • The allegation follows a police complaint accusing Ahn of giving false testimony about military absence and detention during a confirmation hearing.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek refused to give a direct answer when Han Dong-hoon pressed him in parliament over allegations that he had once entered a military detention facility.

At a meeting of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, Han asked Ahn whether he had ever gone to a military detention facility for any reason. Ahn replied, “Because investigative authorities are investigating it, I am limited in what I can say at this time.”

Because investigative authorities are investigating it, I am limited in what I can say at this time.

— Ahn Gyu-baekThe defense minister explained why he would not answer questions about the detention allegation.

Han then argued that Ahn’s response would lead the public to conclude that the detention had in fact occurred. Ahn did not accept that interpretation. He said, “That is expected to be revealed soon,” and added that it would likely become clear after he stepped down as minister.

Ahn initially answered “no” when Han asked whether he had ever deserted military service or had been mistaken by the military or a public institution as having done so. When Han repeated the questions, Ahn shifted to saying that the facts would soon be disclosed.

Kim Young-soo, head of the Korea Defense Rights Research Institute, filed a police complaint in June. Kim said Ahn’s statement at last year’s parliamentary confirmation hearing, denying any desertion or detention, amounted to false testimony.

That is expected to be revealed soon.

— Ahn Gyu-baekAhn responded after Han Dong-hoon argued that his refusal implied the allegation was true.

Ahn said he had changed his address and completed basic military training because he believed he should enlist, even though he could have been exempted three years after a physical examination. He said he entered voluntarily and would explain the matter fully through the appropriate procedures after leaving office.

Ahn, the first civilian defense minister in 64 years, is already facing replacement after President Lee Jae-myung nominated Kang Shin-chul, South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, as the next minister.

I entered voluntarily, but what could I have done?

— Ahn Gyu-baekAhn described his decision to undergo basic military training after changing his address.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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