{"id":2202379,"date":"2023-09-28T18:56:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T09:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202379"},"modified":"2023-09-29T19:20:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T10:20:49","slug":"yoon-signals-priorities-with-defense-minister-pick-and-sets-up-political-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/yoon-signals-priorities-with-defense-minister-pick-and-sets-up-political-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Yoon signals priorities with defense minister pick, and sets up political fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol nominated ruling party lawmaker <\/span>Shin Won-sik<\/span><\/a> to serve as his defense minister earlier this month, and despite his military experience, the retired lieutenant general has proven to be one of the most controversial candidates in Yoon\u2019s latest cabinet reshuffle.<\/span><\/p>\n

The debate has focused on Shin\u2019s past remarks appearing to praise ROK dictators of yesteryear, as well as on his support for improving ties with Japan and alleged alignment with right-wing political movements.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Yoon is likely to appoint him irrespective of the Left\u2019s opposition, looking to appeal to conservative voters and align military policy more with the U.S., though at the risk of exacerbating domestic political tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n

DOMESTIC OPPOSITION<\/b><\/p>\n

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has expressed major reservations about Shin, repeatedly challenging his fitness for the job at a <\/span>parliamentary confirmation hearing<\/span><\/a> on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among his controversial statements, Shin <\/span>appeared to voice support<\/span><\/a> for the military coups in 1961 and 1979. Furthermore, in a 2019 YouTube broadcast, amidst escalating South Korea-Japan tensions, Shin <\/span>suggested<\/span><\/a> Koreans might have been less content under the Korean Empire’s rule compared to the Japanese occupation.<\/span><\/p>\n

This comment critiquing the Moon Jae-in administration\u2019s <\/span>stance<\/span><\/a> on the <\/span>General Security of Military Information Agreement<\/span><\/a> \u2014 a military intelligence-sharing agreement between South Korea and Japan \u2014 raised eyebrows.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the same year, during a conservative rally in Seoul, Shin appeared to call for cutting the throat of President Moon Jae-in and, in a different instance, describing former President Roh Moo-hyun as a \u201cdemon.\u201d Addressing these comments during the hearing, Shin expressed remorse: \u201cEven though I spoke as a private citizen, my words were inappropriate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A DP legislator questioned Shin\u2019s alignment with the ideology of the <\/span>New Right<\/span><\/a>, a conservative intellectual movement seen as more sympathetic to South Korea\u2019s authoritarian history. Shin responded ambiguously, asserting unfamiliarity with the movement until recently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin\u2019s lack of a clear response to the question will likely lead many opposition members to interpret his nomination as Yoon\u2019s nod to the New Right, signaling his administration\u2019s will to further jettison former President Moon Jae-in\u2019s progressive policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the DP\u2019s reservations, Yoon will likely confirm Shin as his next defense minister, which will only deepen partisan divisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

As April\u2019s parliamentary elections approach, Yoon\u2019s endorsement of Shin may be a strategic move to galvanize conservative supporters, particularly those emphasizing a robust defense policy and expressing concerns about North Korean provocations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, the administration\u2019s nuanced position on historical disputes with Japan \u2014 essentially arguing that they should not stand in the way of cooperation \u2014 will resonate with those who believe stronger Seoul-Tokyo ties are necessary to combat perceived threats from North Korea and China.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, the DP is likely to underscore Shin\u2019s apparent leanings toward the New Right, portraying the administration as drifting from the ROK\u2019s core democratic principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

President Yoon Suk-yeol attends an event commemorating the 69th anniversary of the founding of the Korea Freedom Federation, a major conservative civic group, June 28, 2023 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

DEFENSE POSTURE<\/b><\/p>\n

During the hearing, another DP member <\/span>voiced apprehensions<\/span><\/a> about the potential deployment of Japanese military forces on <\/span>Dokdo<\/span><\/a>, islets situated between South Korea and Japan and over which Tokyo also claims sovereignty.<\/span><\/p>\n

While both countries maintain strong alliances with the U.S. and are prominent democratic powers in East Asia, South Korea\u2019s history as a Japanese colony significantly influences its perspective on Dokdo. These islets have become a symbol of South Korean sovereignty and autonomy, prompting <\/span>regular defensive military exercises<\/span><\/a> by the ROK in the surrounding areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Historically, invoking the issue of Dokdo has been a potent political tool for South Korean politicians to gain votes. Responding to the DP lawmaker\u2019s concerns, Shin dismissed Japan\u2019s claim over Dokdo as groundless. He advocated that Seoul should persistently oppose such claims but added that fears about Japan deploying forces there are unwarranted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin also addressed the <\/span>radar lock-on dispute<\/span><\/a> of Dec. 2018. At the time, Japan alleged that a South Korean navy destroyer targeted a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft with its fire-control radar. South Korea maintained it was using the radar to search for a North Korean fishing boat adrift. This episode precipitated a prolonged diplomatic dispute against a backdrop of already strained relations.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Shin echoed the stance of the ROK and Japanese governments, which was effectively to agree to disagree and move on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I know, both countries currently prioritize security cooperation against North Korea\u2019s nuclear and missile threats,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin\u2019s responses had two aims \u2014 not only to counter accusations that conservatives are <\/span>pro-Japan<\/span><\/a> but also to assert South Korea\u2019s confidence in its defense capabilities. This confidence underpins the Yoon administration\u2019s comfort with pursuing stronger ties with Tokyo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin\u2019s expected confirmation will come at an important time for South Korea-Japan ties, underscoring Seoul\u2019s intent to bolster ties against mutual challenges irrespective of unresolved disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n

His appointment to helm the ROK\u2019s defenses would also have broad implications for U.S.-South Korea relations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Given Shin\u2019s proactive defense approach and support for cooperation with Japan, the U.S. could find a partner more receptive to bolstering mutual defenses against North Korea. Such collaboration could amplify joint military endeavors, consolidate defense strategies and enhance intelligence-sharing while fortifying the <\/span>trilateral U.S.-ROK-Japan defense partnership<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD<\/b><\/p>\n

On the home front, Shin\u2019s perceived affiliation with the New Right has provoked staunch opposition from the DP, and they can be expected to continue to spotlight his contentious remarks for political gain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the South Korean public, many admire Shin\u2019s military expertise and candor, but others are likely to view him as a divisive figure due to his past statements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within the ruling People Power Party, Shin\u2019s confirmation could be a double-edged sword. While potentially consolidating support from party\u2019s conservative base, it risks alienating the more centrist elements who might find Shin too controversial.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Shin as defense minister, the Yoon administration will push forward with enhancing trilateral military cooperation with the U.S. and Japan. South Korea will prioritize efforts to improve defense capabilities, expand international defense affiliations and increase weapons exports.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin\u2019s nomination is more than just a mere administrative reshuffle. It epitomizes the Yoon administration\u2019s strategic direction, doubling down on Seoul\u2019s efforts to align with the U.S. and deter, rather than engage, North Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by Bryan Betts<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Defense & Security<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a>Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol nominated ruling party lawmaker Shin Won-sik to serve as his defense minister earlier this month, and despite his military experience, the retired lieutenant general has proven to be one of the most controversial candidates in Yoon\u2019s latest cabinet reshuffle. The debate has focused on Shin\u2019s past remarks appearing to praise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2202380,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[26,27,28],"yoast_head":"\nYoon signals priorities with defense minister pick, and sets up political fight - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/09\/yoon-signals-priorities-with-defense-minister-pick-and-sets-up-political-fight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Yoon signals priorities with defense minister pick, and sets up political fight - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol nominated ruling party lawmaker Shin Won-sik to serve as his defense minister earlier this month, and despite his military experience, the retired lieutenant general has proven to be one of the most controversial candidates in Yoon\u2019s latest cabinet reshuffle. 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