When Asked "Was Martial Law Appropriate?" What the Defense Minister Nominee Said

Choi Byeong-hyeok, the former ambassador to Saudi Arabia who was nominated as the successor to former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, the instigator of the martial law situation, did not give a clear answer when asked about the appropriateness of the martial law.

On the afternoon of the 6th, Yonhap News met Choi, who returned through Incheon International Airport, at the arrival hall and asked, "Do you think the martial law was appropriate?" but he did not respond, the report said.

Defense Minister nominee Choi Byung-hyuk is returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

He also did not answer questions such as, "Deputy Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho said he would never tolerate a second attempt at martial law; what do you think about that?" and "The opposition party criticizes it as treason; what is your view?" When asked for his thoughts, he replied, "I was just suddenly notified and came now," adding, "I will tell you later."

When asked if President Yoon Seok-yeol had given him any instructions, he said, "I found out through the news," and regarding how he would lead the military, he said, "I still haven't adjusted to the time difference."

Nominee Choi is a retired four-star general from the Korea Military Academy. From 2008 to 2009, he served as the commander of the 1st Security Group and chief of operations at the Capital Defense Command, and in 2014, he was the commander of the 22nd Infantry Division. He later held positions such as chief of the Army Headquarters Inspection Office, commander of the 5th Army Corps, and deputy chief of staff of the Army.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-gi, the secretary of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, is briefing on the content of the meeting with Hong Jang-won, the first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, in front of the chairman's office of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

In April 2019, he was promoted to general with four stars and served as the deputy commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command until September of the following year. In December last year, he was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia. During the 2022 presidential election, nominee Choi worked with former Minister Kim in Yoon Seok-yeol’s presidential campaign and was involved in formulating defense pledges.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Kim Byung-gi, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, shared some of the stories he heard when meeting Hong Jang-won, the first deputy director at the National Assembly. This included remarks related to nominee Choi. Kim said that Hong, who is also a Korea Military Academy graduate, stated, "Choi Byeong-hyeok, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia nominated as the successor to former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, is a figure pushed by Kim Yong-hyun to become ambassador."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.