The National Assembly's Defense Committee adopted a report on Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, on September 17, led by the Democratic Party. The opposition parties, including the People Power Party and the Reform Party, boycotted the vote, citing unresolved allegations regarding Kang's involvement in special housing provisions for evicted residents.
During the committee's meeting, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byeong-joo, the committee's secretary, stated, "Kang has been deemed the most suitable candidate for the position of Minister of National Defense through the confirmation hearing," and urged for a swift adoption of the report.
In contrast, Lim Jong-deok, the secretary for the People Power Party, criticized Kang for failing to thoroughly address the allegations related to the special housing provisions and issues concerning the integration of military academies. Lim remarked, "Kang is indecisive and incompetent. He is unqualified to serve as Minister of National Defense." Cheon Ha-ram, a member of the Reform Party, also expressed opposition, questioning the necessity of the confirmation hearing if the National Assembly was merely going to approve the report without proper scrutiny.
Members of the People Power Party left the meeting before the vote on the report and held an emergency press conference. They asserted that Kang's unsuitability for the role of Minister of National Defense was proven during the previous day's confirmation hearing, stating, "We cannot entrust the defense of our nation to a candidate lacking qualifications and policy knowledge, who is merely catering to the Blue House's preferences."
They warned, "If the Democratic Party unilaterally adopts the confirmation report, we will expose the unfitness of this unqualified nominee to the public and hold them accountable."
During the committee's meeting, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byeong-joo, the committee's secretary, stated, "Kang has been deemed the most suitable candidate for the position of Minister of National Defense through the confirmation hearing," and urged for a swift adoption of the report.
In contrast, Lim Jong-deok, the secretary for the People Power Party, criticized Kang for failing to thoroughly address the allegations related to the special housing provisions and issues concerning the integration of military academies. Lim remarked, "Kang is indecisive and incompetent. He is unqualified to serve as Minister of National Defense." Cheon Ha-ram, a member of the Reform Party, also expressed opposition, questioning the necessity of the confirmation hearing if the National Assembly was merely going to approve the report without proper scrutiny.
Members of the People Power Party left the meeting before the vote on the report and held an emergency press conference. They asserted that Kang's unsuitability for the role of Minister of National Defense was proven during the previous day's confirmation hearing, stating, "We cannot entrust the defense of our nation to a candidate lacking qualifications and policy knowledge, who is merely catering to the Blue House's preferences."
They warned, "If the Democratic Party unilaterally adopts the confirmation report, we will expose the unfitness of this unqualified nominee to the public and hold them accountable."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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