Defense Minister Nominee Apologizes for Role in 2024 Martial Law Episode

At a confirmation hearing for the defense minister post, Kang Shin-chul apologized for the brief martial law episode that occurred in 2024, asserting that he feels a heavy burden of responsibility as the senior officer on duty. He characterized the martial law declaration as an undermining of constitutional norms, even though he was stationed as deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command and did not directly execute the order.

Kang said he urged the U.S. Forces Korea commander to trust South Korea’s legal system while the National Assembly moved to lift the martial law. He also addressed the government’s plan to integrate the separate military academies, stating he will examine one outlet blueprint and work to refine it after his appointment. The hearing highlighted calls from ruling-party legislators for both moral and political accountability for the incident.