{"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