Key facts
- Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul apologized for the imposition of martial law in 2024.
- Kang served as the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command at the time of the martial law decree.
- Kang described the martial law declaration as the military undermining the constitutional order.
- Kang stated he will look into improving the defense ministry's blueprint for integrating military academies after his appointment.
SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul on Wednesday apologized over the short-lived imposition of martial law in 2024, saying he felt heavy responsibility for the incident that occurred while serving as the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).
Kang made the remarks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing, as a ruling party lawmaker said the nominee cannot evade "moral" and "political" accountability for the Dec. 3 martial law imposed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
"I feel heavy accountability and deep responsibility as someone who was at the highest rank," Kang said, adding, "I offer my sincere apologies to the people."