Shin Won-sik: "Strong retaliation against North Korean provocations... Regime's end if nuclear attack is attempted"

Opening Remarks at Confirmation Hearing... "Strengthening Cooperation with ROK-US Combined Exercises and UN Command"

Shin Won-sik, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, stated on the 27th, "If North Korea attempts a nuclear attack, the North Korean regime will face its end."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's National Defense Committee that morning, Shin said, "If North Korea provokes, we will strongly retaliate to make them regret it bitterly." He added, "North Korea continues to threaten the Republic of Korea through drone infiltrations, various missile provocations, preparations for nuclear tests, and public threats against the South," emphasizing, "We will establish a powerful defense posture that overwhelms the enemy." He also stated, "We will strengthen combined exercises and training with the United States," and "We will enhance defense cooperation not only with United Nations Command member countries but also with various allied nations."

Furthermore, amid difficulties in recruiting military personnel, he presented a goal to build a future force structure centered on AI-based manned and unmanned complex combat systems, and to substantially improve the treatment and living conditions of soldiers, including junior officers. He also added plans to supplement the military judicial system to harmonize strict command structures with improvements in soldiers' human rights, and to strive to establish a culture where soldiers are respected and honored.

On this day, the opposition parties, citing various controversial remarks by nominee Shin, expressed that he is not suitable for the position of Minister of National Defense and called for the withdrawal of his nomination, planning to launch an offensive against him.

Nominee Shin has been embroiled in controversies over remarks such as ▲the so-called "Moon (文) neck" comment disparaging former President Moon Jae-in ▲statements about the termination of the September 19 military agreement ▲remarks on the need to relocate General Hong Beom-do's statue ▲participation in Taegeukgi rallies ▲and failure to report his wife's luxury villa.

The Democratic Party has labeled nominee Shin, who has caused various controversies, as an "extreme right-wing figure" and launched a full-scale offensive. They argue that he is a biased figure who attended far-right rallies and made extreme claims, and that if such a person becomes Minister of National Defense, it will undermine the political neutrality of our military and ultimately weaken the military's capabilities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.