Sung Il-jong Demands Disclosure of Ahn Gyu-back's Military Service Records: "Clarify Whether You Deserted"

▲ People Power Party Representative Sung Il-jong

People Power Party Representative Sung Il-jong, who served as the chair of the National Assembly National Defense Committee for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, has directly called on Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back to clarify whether he deserted the military in the past.

Representative Sung wrote on his social media today (July 9), "The Minister of National Defense is a position that requires more authority than any other cabinet post," adding, "The minister must be honorable and confident before the troops."

He argued, "The rumors regarding Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back's alleged desertion during his service as a defense reservist have been raised continuously since his confirmation hearing," and asserted, "This issue could be resolved cleanly if Minister Ahn simply discloses his military service records."

Representative Sung stated that during the confirmation hearing, he had proposed, "Please allow at least the committee chair and the ranking members of both parties to view the military service records," but that Minister Ahn refused even that request.

He further pointed out, "Ultimately, the confirmation hearing for Minister Ahn ended without a proper explanation or the disclosure of his military service records, and despite these suspicions, the President pushed ahead with his appointment."

Representative Sung emphasized, "Is it normal for our soldiers and the public to have to wonder whether the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea deserted the military?" and demanded, "Disclose your military service records even now."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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