No request filed to correct former Defense Minister Ahn's military records, chief says

Former Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek has yet to file a request to correct his military records amid allegations that he went absent without leave during his service, the head of the Military Manpower Administration said Monday.

Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Hong So-young told a National Assembly National Defense Committee national audit held at the agency's headquarters in Daejeon that no correction request had been filed, responding to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Han Ki-ho about whether Ahn had sought to amend his military records.

Ahn, who served as the first defense minister under the Lee Jae Myung administration, faced attacks from opposition politicians over allegations that he left his post without authorization during his time as a short-term conscript.

The Defense Ministry at the time rebuffed the allegations as "clearly false" and indicated that errors existed in Ahn's military records. It also said Ahn planned to seek a correction of those records after leaving office.

Meanwhile, Hong said the Defense Ministry and the Military Manpower Administration are officially not reviewing the introduction of mandatory military service for women, responding to a question from Reform Party lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram.

"Rather than introducing it abruptly, we are gradually increasing the proportion of female officers while building public consensus and making preparations," Hong said.