'If I deserted, I'm Han Ki-ho's son,' defense minister says

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back pushed back against allegations that he deserted from military service, saying he had "not a single thing to be ashamed of before heaven" and that the claims were "completely contrary to the facts." He added that if the desertion allegations were true, "I would be Rep. Han Ki-ho's son."

Ahn made the remarks Thursday at a plenary session of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, responding to Cheon Ha-ram, a Reform Party lawmaker who demanded the public release of Ahn's military service record in connection with the desertion allegations. "After I leave public office, I intend to bring this matter to a close through legal and administrative procedures," Ahn said.

Asked whether his military service record contained a notation of 30 days' detention, Ahn said he was "limited in what I can say, given that the matter is currently under investigation."

He went on to say that "more than a year and several months have passed since the confirmation hearing ended," and said the allegations did not reflect the facts.

Cheon also asked Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Hong So-young whether any rule allowed waiting until the defense minister stepped down from office.

He explained that the fundamental purpose of his remarks was to request that the committee vote, under Article 2 of the National Assembly Testimony and Appraisal Act, to formally demand that the Military Manpower Administration submit Ahn's military service record in the committee's name.

Cheon added that the Military Manpower Administration held Ahn's military service records and related documents but had refused to release them on the grounds that they constituted personal information, allowing public suspicions to continue to mount.