By MD.Moon hyungsuk
Seoul, June 25 — A prominent South Korean security organisation has publicly endorsed the nomination of veteran lawmaker Ahn Gyu-baek as the country’s next Minister of National Defence, hailing the appointment as a “watershed moment” for the Republic’s security policy.
The statement was issued by Cheon-Gun-Man-Ma, an association comprising retired generals, intelligence officers, and defence specialists, on the 75th anniversary of the Korean War — a date heavy with symbolism in a region still technically at war.
Mr Ahn, a five-term member of the National Assembly, has served for over 16 years on the Defence Committee and is recognised as a leading civilian authority on military affairs. His legislative record includes championing civilian oversight, securing defence budget reforms, and advancing South Korea’s acquisition of next-generation military technologies.
The group described his nomination by President Lee Jae-myung as “an exemplary choice” reflecting a shift towards pragmatic and civilian-led defence leadership. “In a time of complex global threats, defence policy must be integrated with broader national strategy — from economics to diplomacy,” it said.
Mr Ahn’s recent work investigating a controversial emergency martial law proposal — the so-called “12.3 Incident” — has further bolstered his profile as a staunch defender of constitutional order. His leadership was credited with exposing undemocratic tendencies within military structures and reaffirming the principle of political neutrality in the armed forces.
The statement went on to praise his strategic acumen, citing his coordination of the Democratic Party’s policy advisory body and his role as chair of the parliamentary fact-finding committee on internal threats. These credentials, the group said, position him to lead a long-overdue overhaul of South Korea’s defence doctrine.
Of particular significance is Mr Ahn’s potential role in reviving the 2018 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, which sought to reduce tensions between North and South Korea. Cheon-Gun-Man-Ma expressed confidence that he would work to re-establish confidence-building measures on the Peninsula and promote a stable peace.
“Ahn Gyu-baek embodies a vision of security in which strength and diplomacy go hand in hand,” the group concluded. “He offers the leadership required not only to deter conflict, but to ensure the Republic of Korea can thrive in peace.”
