Kang Shin-cheol's appointment as Defense Minister by President Lee Jae-myung is facing delays. Although the National Assembly's confirmation hearing process has concluded, ongoing pressure from the opposition regarding the special supply controversy surrounding demolition residents has raised concerns about his inauguration. However, there is a prevailing sentiment in the political arena that his appointment is likely, given the ruling party's push for the adoption of the confirmation report and the rarity of Defense Minister nominees failing to secure their positions.
As of September 21, Kang has not yet received the presidential confirmation despite the National Assembly's Defense Committee adopting the confirmation report on September 17. Consequently, the inauguration ceremony scheduled for September 18 did not take place. The Ministry of National Defense had begun preparations for the ceremony, but the lack of approval from the Blue House has left the schedule uncertain.
The delay in the ministerial appointment raises concerns that it may weaken the momentum for key defense reform initiatives, such as the transfer of wartime operational control and the integration of military academies. With pressing security issues, including the potential deployment to the Strait of Hormuz and North Korea's missile threats, the uncertainty surrounding the next Defense Minister's position adds to the burden.
Speculation suggests that the Blue House may be weighing the timing of the confirmation against public sentiment regarding the real estate controversy. Given that real estate issues are sensitive and directly tied to the government's policy credibility, the controversy surrounding Kang and his family may be impacting his appointment.
Despite this, political analysts believe that Kang will ultimately proceed with his appointment. The ruling party's adoption of the confirmation report, despite opposition resistance, strengthens the case for his nomination. Additionally, it is extremely rare for a Defense Minister nominee from the Army Academy to fail after undergoing a confirmation hearing.
Since the expansion of the confirmation hearing process to include cabinet members in 2005, only one Defense Minister nominee has failed to secure their position after a hearing: Kim Byung-kwan during the Park Geun-hye administration. Kim, an Army Academy graduate, resigned in 2013 amid controversies over his role as an advisor for a weapons brokerage and failure to report stock holdings.
While it is difficult to definitively conclude that the 'Army Academy is invincible,' Kim's case is often cited in discussions about Kang's appointment prospects.
Meanwhile, the opposition is intensifying its pressure, citing the special supply controversy as a disqualifying factor for Kang's ministerial role. The leadership of the People Power Party reiterated concerns about Kang's morality and security perspective during a Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly.
Representative Jang Dong-hyuk criticized, "This is not just an issue to be resolved with Yong Hye-in and Kim Seung-won. Kang Shin-cheol, the Defense Minister nominee, cannot even say that North Korea is the main enemy." He further stated, "He is a 'Kang Shin-demolition resident' whose entire family received special supplies for demolition. We cannot entrust national defense to someone like this."
Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik described Kang as a symbol of the ruling party's hypocrisy regarding real estate issues, asserting that his nomination must be withdrawn.
Should the Blue House decide to appoint Kang despite the potential impact on the credibility of its real estate policies, it appears that political disputes will continue for the long term.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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