The police have launched a full-scale investigation into the 'AWOL (Absent Without Leave) allegations' against Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek, beginning with the questioning of the accuser today (July 16).

Kim Young-soo, head of the Defense Rights Research Institute, who filed a complaint against Minister Ahn with the police on June 27 for violating the Act on Testimony and Appraisal Before the National Assembly, appeared at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul at 9:22 a.m. today.

Kim claims that while serving as a defense conscript in 1984, Minister Ahn was AWOL for approximately seven months from a unit under the Army's 35th Infantry Division. He further alleges that Ahn was subsequently arrested by the military police, served 30 days of detention, and was discharged in August 1985 after completing an additional eight months of service, including the period he was AWOL.

Kim argues that although these details are recorded in the minister's military service records, Ahn provided false testimony during his confirmation hearing in July of last year, stating that he had never been AWOL or detained.

In a statement released today, Kim demanded, "Disclose Minister Ahn's military service records and explain which parts of my claims are false and why," adding, "If there is anything in the service records that contradicts the facts, explain the reason and provide concrete evidence."

He also emphasized that "the suspicion could be easily resolved by disclosing the personnel orders."

Regarding the Ministry of National Defense's explanation that Ahn was re-enlisted for about three days to undergo a military investigation, Kim argued, "Re-enlistment in 1985 was limited to cases involving 'detention, confinement in a military jail, or AWOL'."

He further stated, "If he received a re-enlistment order in June, after his discharge in January 1985, we cannot rule out the possibility that it was due to 'some cause not included in the military service period'."

Upon entering the interrogation room, Kim told reporters, "If I filed a complaint based on false information as the Ministry of National Defense claims, I believe the ministry should naturally file a complaint against me," adding, "(If my claims are false) they should file a complaint against me as soon as possible."

He continued by urging the Army Headquarters to cooperate with the National Assembly's request for data, stating, "Personnel orders from the Army Headquarters are not the minister's personal records."

The police plan to verify the facts based on military service records and statements made during the confirmation hearing after confirming the details of the complaint through today's questioning of the accuser.

(Photo: Yonhap News)