Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul emphasized during his confirmation hearing that there were no illegal acts regarding real estate allegations surrounding himself and his family, while stating, "I am truly sorry for failing to meet the public's expectations."

Attending the National Assembly confirmation hearing today (September 16), Kang said, "As a nominee for defense minister, I apologize to the public that real estate issues have been brought up at this hearing."

Kang said, "Like any military servicemember, throughout my military career I never paid attention to wealth accumulation such as real estate or stocks," adding, "This was also the first time I learned the term 'special housing supply for evicted residents.'"

Regarding his receiving compensation as an evictee for a house in Cheonwang-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul in 2008 and being allotted a newly built apartment in Seocho-gu, Kang stressed, "I received compensation through legitimate procedures."

He continued, "It was where I was born and raised, and it was a house I designed and built intending to live there even after my discharge," explaining, "However, the land and house were expropriated by the government, and I was compensated through standard procedures in accordance with government policy."

Kang emphasized, "At the time, we suffered tremendous losses (due to the government's land expropriation). I believe we received fair compensation."

Regarding his filing of a move-in notification for the house in Cheonwang-dong, Seoul in March 2008—just before being designated eligible for evictee compensation while actually residing in Gangwon Province—he explained, "I do not remember why I moved my address at that time," adding, "In military life, moves happen frequently, and that was the situation back then as well."

Regarding his eldest son purchasing commercial property in an apartment complex in Bundang after borrowing approximately 700 million won from his maternal aunt and uncle, Kang stated, "As a cabinet nominee, I am truly sorry for falling short of the public's expectations."

He said, "As a father, it is difficult to interfere in every aspect of the financial life of a 30-year-old son," but added, "I failed to look after it properly as a parent."

Regarding the omission of his son's purchase of the apartment commercial unit from his initial asset disclosure, he added, "When I was filing the asset declaration, I was on my way back from abroad and could not check properly," adding, "It was my oversight."

(Photo: Yonhap News)