Kang made the remarks to reporters as he arrived Thursday at the Defense Convention in Seoul's Yongsan district, where he will prepare for his parliamentary confirmation hearing.
Asked whether the government could complete the Full Operational Capability (FOC) assessment for the future Combined Forces Command within this year as planned, Kang stressed the importance of the alliance in the OPCON transition process.
"The OPCON transfer is possible because the South Korea-U.S. alliance exists," Kang told reporters. "Without the alliance, the very concept of transferring OPCON would not exist."
Seoul and Washington have been pursuing a conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control from the U.S.-led Combined Forces Command to a future command led by a South Korean four-star general. FOC verification is one of the key steps in assessing South Korea's readiness to lead combined wartime operations.
Kang was more cautious when asked about the government's controversial proposal to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force academies.
"I understand that there are various opinions and concerns," Kang said. "I believe they all come from a desire to serve the military, and we will work to foster outstanding personnel."
Pressed on whether the proposed integration could be withdrawn, Kang stopped short of giving a direct answer.
"Whatever form the service academies took in the past, wherever they were located or whatever they were called, they were the academies of the Republic of Korea," he said. "The academies of the future will likewise belong to no one else but the Republic of Korea."
Asked how he would respond if his views conflicted with those of the president, the commander-in-chief, Kang said, "For change to happen, there are things that must not change, and for things not to change, there are things that must change."
"I will distinguish clearly between the two and move forward in a way that brings about genuine change," he added.
Kang also faced questions over whether he had any involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3, 2024, martial law declaration.
"I understand that the presidential chief of staff has already given a clear answer to that question," Kang said.
When announcing the Cabinet reshuffle last month, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said last month that a constitutional order task force and a Defense Ministry audit had found no evidence linking Kang Shin-chul to the Dec. 3 martial law attempt.
Kang, a retired Army general and graduate of the Korea Military Academy's 46th class, has held several senior military posts, including director of strategic planning and chief director of operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.
Kang, who was nominated for defense minister on Aug. 30 and recently returned from Saudi Arabia, after he retired from ambassador to Saudi Arabia in January this year.
"I feel a burden that is difficult to put into words," he said. "I know how heavy the responsibility of serving as defense minister is, which makes it feel even greater. But I will fulfill the mission entrusted to me."
AJP Takeaways
· Kang Shin-chul vowed to pursue OPCON transfer in a way that strengthens the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
· The defense minister nominee avoided a direct answer on the proposed integration of the Army, Navy and Air Force academies.
· Kang denied involvement in the Dec. 3 martial law attempt, citing earlier government findings clearing him of links.
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