The Ministry of National Defense stated regarding allegations that Minister Ahn Gyu-back deserted his post while serving as a defense conscript (short-term soldier) that the claims of desertion are "clearly false," adding that the Minister plans to file a request to correct errors in his military service records after his term ends.

A Ministry of National Defense official met with reporters today (July 10) and said, "If he were to file a request for correction while serving as the Minister of National Defense, wouldn't it spark further controversy?" The official added, "He plans to file for correction and take additional measures once he completes his assigned duties and returns to a private citizen status."

Regarding criticisms that Minister Ahn should disclose his military records to resolve the suspicions, the official explained, "If we disclose records that were incorrectly documented 40 years ago, wouldn't only the erroneous records remain in people's minds regardless of the facts? It would only fuel further misunderstandings, which is why they have not been disclosed."

Minister Ahn's service period as a defense conscript was recorded as 22 months in his military service record, rather than the original 14 months, leading opposition parties to raise suspicions of desertion or detention in a military brig during his confirmation hearing in July of last year.

His military service record states that he enlisted as an Army defense conscript in November 1983 and was discharged as a private first class in August 1985.

During his confirmation hearing, Minister Ahn explained that this situation arose while he was being investigated by military authorities in connection with his family providing lunch to active-duty soldiers at his unit during his service.

He stated that after serving for 14 months, he was discharged on January 4, 1985, and returned to university that same year. However, he was notified to serve additional time, which he fulfilled during his summer vacation in August, resulting in that final period of service being recorded as his discharge date.

Minister Ahn mentioned at the time that the reason he received the notice for additional service was that the period during which he was under investigation was not included in his service record.

The Ministry of National Defense official emphasized, "Minister Ahn stated (during the hearing) that he was investigated for a few days, but he was never subjected to any disciplinary action, including detention. That is why he has consistently maintained that he is a victim of administrative errors in his military records."

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the duration of Minister Ahn's additional service was a few days.

Regarding this, another Ministry of National Defense official stated, "One should not assume that he served additional time exactly equal to the number of days he was under investigation. The reason (the additional service period was longer than the investigation period) is unknown even to the Minister himself, which is why he says he is a victim of administrative error."

The allegations of desertion against Minister Ahn have recently been reignited by opposition parties and others, coinciding with public backlash against defense policies pushed by the government, such as the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies.

Arguments are also being raised that if Minister Ahn believes there are errors in his military records, he should file for a correction himself or disclose the records to transparently resolve the suspicions.