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South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back is facing renewed scrutiny over his military service from the 1980s, with allegations that he deserted his unit and later committed perjury. The claims, brought forward by a retired navy officer, have triggered a public petition and drawn conflicting responses from the government and the accuser.

Coverage comparison

Reporting from the South China Morning Post and Yonhap News — English presents differing emphases on the controversy. The South China Morning Post frames the issue as a dispute with conflicting accounts, quoting both the accuser and the defence minister. Yonhap News — English carries two articles: one that takes a critical tone toward Ahn’s silence on the perjury allegations, and another that presents the defence ministry’s dismissal of the desertion claims as a misunderstanding caused by administrative error.

Key claims

  • Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back has been accused of deserting his unit during military service in the 1980s. The accuser, retired Lt. Cmdr. Kim Young-soo, head of the nonprofit Center for Whistleblowers, alleges Ahn was arrested by military police for desertion while serving as a commuter soldier, detained for one month, and required to serve an additional seven months, as reported by Yonhap News — English.
  • Ahn’s military record shows he served for 22 months, longer than the required 14 months for territorial defence soldiers at the time, according to both the South China Morning Post and Yonhap News — English.
  • The defence ministry claims that administrative errors are responsible for irregularities in Ahn’s military record. A ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the claim that Ahn deserted his post is “outright false,” according to Yonhap News — English.
  • Ahn has not directly addressed the perjury allegations, Yonhap News — English reports. During his confirmation hearing last July, he told lawmakers he had never deserted and that his military record does not accurately reflect what happened, as quoted by the South China Morning Post.
  • A petition for Ahn’s impeachment has gained over 300,000 signatures, according to Yonhap News — English.
  • Ahn plans to seek a revision to his military record after completing his duties as defence minister, a ministry official told Yonhap News — English.

Perspectives

Ahn Gyu-back and the Ministry of National Defence

Ahn and the defence ministry deny the allegations of desertion. The ministry attributes irregularities in Ahn’s record to administrative errors, calling the desertion claim “outright false,” as reported by Yonhap News — English. During his confirmation hearing, Ahn said, “I never deserted. I have lived my life without anything to be ashamed of. The military record currently being managed does not accurately reflect what actually happened,” according to the South China Morning Post. A ministry official said Ahn plans to seek a correction to his record after stepping down as minister, to avoid further controversy.

The accuser, Kim Young-soo

Retired Lt. Cmdr. Kim Young-soo, head of the Center for Whistleblowers, alleges that Ahn was arrested by military police for desertion while serving as a commuter soldier, detained for one month, and required to serve an additional seven months, according to Yonhap News — English. Kim held a news conference at the National Assembly on July 6, challenging Ahn: “Minister Ahn, please sue me if you think I am lying,” as reported by Yonhap News — English. Kim has also filed a police complaint accusing Ahn of perjury.