"Mao Zedong's Motto Is My Motto"... Uproar Over Defense Minister's Remarks

Defense Minister Ahn Gyubek is facing backlash after it was reported that he introduced the motto of Mao Zedong, who decided to deploy Chinese troops during the Korean War, as his own personal motto.

The People Power Party criticized, asking "Which country's defense minister is he anyway?" and urged his immediate dismissal.

Speaking at a party countermeasures meeting held at the National Assembly, People Power Party Floor Leader Jung Jeom-sik stated that Minister Ahn introduced "cheopyeonbulgyeong," which means remaining unfazed regardless of changing circumstances, as his personal motto during a visit to the Korea Air Force Academy last June.

According to reports, Minister Ahn remarked at the time, "Cheopyeonbulgyeong, which Mao Zedong always kept close to his heart while ruling the Chinese mainland, is soon my own motto."

Minister Ahn previously held a meeting with professors, discipline officers, and cadet students at the Korea Air Force Academy on June 15.

Floor Leader Jung pointed out that the Korean War was a war of aggression launched by Kim Il-sung with Stalin's permission and Mao Zedong's support, criticizing that speaking of such a motto of Mao Zedong like a golden rule in front of military cadets makes people wonder "which country's military and whose minister he really is."

Amid the growing controversy, the Ministry of National Defense explained that there was no intention to advocate for a specific politician or ideology.

The ministry stated, "It was merely a humanistic metaphor intended to urge steadfast responses to changing situations, and there was absolutely no intention to advocate for or emphasize any specific political figure or ideology."

Debate also continued regarding the origin of the expression "cheopyeonbulgyeong."

Floor Leader Jung claimed that the expression was actually said by Chiang Kai-shek rather than Mao Zedong, arguing that the minister adopted it as his motto without even properly knowing its origin.

He went on to criticize that "Minister Ahn's very existence is a mockery of the military," repeatedly urging his immediate dismissal.

(Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Lee Yujin | Graphics by Yang Hyemin | Produced by SBS Digital News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.