PPP calls desertion allegations against defense minister 'state power abuse' if Cheong Wa Dae knew

The People Power Party on Sunday called on Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek to release his military service records amid allegations that he went absent without leave during his time as a short-term service soldier, while warning that if President Lee Jae Myung and Cheong Wa Dae knew of the allegations before appointing him, it would amount to an abuse of state power.

PPP chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yun said in a statement that "the head of the Defense Ministry is shaking the entire country with allegations about his own past desertion," adding that "public outrage is spreading uncontrollably as allegations of a seven-month unauthorized absence during Ahn's time as a short-term service soldier have been exposed with specific testimony."

"The details that have come to light are shockingly specific," Choi said. "The allegations — a seven-month unauthorized absence, arrest by a military police unit, 30 days in a military detention facility and eight months of additional service — are highly precise." She said Ahn has responded only by repeating that he is "a victim of military administrative errors," a claim she called an out-of-body defense, while continuing to stay silent and withhold the single page of military service records that would instantly resolve the allegations.

Choi added: "Is a defense minister's personal military service record some kind of state secret that would shake national security? If he has nothing to hide, there is absolutely no reason not to release it."

She also said that if the allegations prove true, "a fugitive once hunted by a military police arrest unit would be commanding the very military police who chased him, along with 450,000 troops," calling it "the worst disgrace and an affront to the foundations of the state in the history of the Republic of Korea's military."

Choi said that if Ahn's desertion is confirmed, his explanations at his confirmation hearing would constitute "a massive fraud that thoroughly deceived the people and the National Assembly." She also brought Cheong Wa Dae into the line of fire, saying that if it had pushed through the appointment knowing of "this fatal flaw, it is no different from an abuse of state power that has thrown national defense and security aside."

Choi further said the public is "appalled" that Ahn appears to be rushing through a plan to merge the Army, Navy and Air Force academies — "the backbone of 100 years of national defense" — as a shield to cover up his own shortcomings, putting the government's military academy consolidation policy under scrutiny as well.

She said a petition calling for Ahn's impeachment "has already surpassed 300,000 signatures and is exploding," and that Ahn "has lost even the minimum moral standing required to uphold military discipline and lead security policy and can no longer carry out his duties."

"Ahn must immediately release his military service records before the public," Choi said. "If the allegations are not resolved and he does not resign voluntarily, the National Assembly will immediately move to impeach him in accordance with the people's stern mandate."

Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry had earlier said the desertion allegations against Ahn are not true, and stated that Ahn plans to file a request to correct errors in his military service records once he leaves office.

A Defense Ministry official, speaking to reporters on Friday, said "the desertion allegations are clearly false," and explained that filing a correction request while still serving as minister could invite further controversy. The plan, the official said, is to file the correction request and take additional steps once his duties are complete and he returns to a position without power.