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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Defense Ministry Denies Desertion Allegations Against Minister Ahn

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Ministry of National Defense has refuted allegations that Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek deserted during his mandatory military service as a 'short-term conscript' (bangwibyeong).
  • The ministry stated that Ahn will seek to correct his military service record after completing his term, asserting the claims are false and based on a misunderstanding of his service period.
  • Critics allege Ahn deserted for seven months, extending his service, while the ministry argues his record reflects an administrative error related to a period of investigation, not desertion.

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has strongly denied accusations that Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek deserted during his mandatory service as a short-term conscript. The ministry labeled the claims as "outright false" and indicated that Minister Ahn intends to formally request corrections to his military service record upon the conclusion of his term.

The claim of desertion is clearly false.

— Ministry of National Defense officialRefuting the allegations against Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek.

This issue, previously raised during Ahn's confirmation hearing a year ago, has resurfaced, with conservative opposition parties alleging that his service record incorrectly states 22 months instead of the standard 14 months for his role. They claim this discrepancy is due to a seven-month desertion period.

However, the ministry presented Ahn's first-semester academic transcript from 1985 as evidence that he completed his service by January 4, 1985, and subsequently enrolled in university. This suggests that any additional service was completed after his initial discharge date, possibly during a vacation period, and that his record reflects an administrative error rather than desertion.

We will take additional measures when he returns to a status with no power after completing his assigned duties.

— Ministry of National Defense officialExplaining the timing of Minister Ahn's request to correct his military record.

Minister Ahn maintains that a three-day investigation he underwent during his service, related to his mother providing free lunches to soldiers, was not included in his official service days. He claims he was later notified to complete this period after returning to university, which he did in August 1985. The ministry confirmed he served approximately 30 days beyond the initial period, far exceeding the investigation duration.

Minister Ahn was clearly discharged on January 4, 1985, after enlisting on November 5, 1983.

— Ministry of National Defense officialProviding specific dates to counter the desertion claims.

Despite the ministry's defense, Ahn has refused to publicly release his military service record, citing concerns that it would only amplify misunderstandings. The ministry supported this decision, arguing that revealing a 40-year-old potentially erroneous record could lead to further misinterpretations, even if the facts are clarified.

How could a short-term conscript who commuted to work for 7 months have deserted?

— Ministry of National Defense officialQuestioning the plausibility of desertion given Ahn's proximity to home during service.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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