Defense minister nominee says feels heavy responsibility for 2024 martial law bid

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SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul on Wednesday apologized over the short-lived imposition of martial law in 2024, saying he felt heavy responsibility for the incident that occurred while serving as the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).

Kang made the remarks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing, as a ruling party lawmaker said the nominee cannot evade "moral" and "political" accountability for the Dec. 3 martial law imposed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"I feel heavy accountability and deep responsibility as someone who was at the highest rank," Kang said, adding, "I offer my sincere apologies to the people."

Kang called the martial law declaration the military's undermining of the constitutional order.

The nominee was serving as a four-star Army general at the time of the martial law decree but avoided involvement in it as he worked as the CFC deputy commander.

Kang said he told then U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Ge. Paul LaCamera to have faith in South Korea's legal system as he witnessed the National Assembly passing a motion demanding the lifting of martial law.

On the government's push to integrate the military academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Kang repeatedly stressed that he has the "resolve" to innovate the military academies.

The defense minister nominee, however, said the current blueprint released by the defense ministry has room for improvement, noting he will look into the matter after his appointment.

Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul attends a parliamentary hearing at the National Assembly on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

sookim@yna.co.kr (END)

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Defense minister nominee says feels heavy responsibility for 2024 martial law bid

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首尔，9月16日（韩联社）——韩国国防部长提名人姜信哲周三就2024年短暂实施戒严令一事道歉，称他在担任韩美联合部队司令部（CFC）副司令期间，对发生的这起事件负有重大责任。

康在国会确认听证会上发表了上述言论。此前，一名执政党议员表示，被提名人无法逃避前总统尹锡悦于 12 月 3 日实施的戒严令所应承担的“道德”和“政治”责任。

康表示：“作为最高级别的官员，我深感责任重大，并向人民致以诚挚的歉意。”

康称戒严令是军方对宪政秩序的破坏。

该被提名人在戒严令颁布时担任陆军四星上将，但由于他担任中国军队副司令，因此避免卷入戒严令。

康表示，他曾告诉时任驻韩美军司令保罗·拉卡梅拉将军，要相信韩国的法律制度，因为他亲眼目睹了国会通过一项要求解除戒严令的动议。

对于政府推动陆军、海军和空军军事院校一体化的举措，康德龙反复强调他有“决心”对军事院校进行创新。

然而，国防部长提名人表示，国防部目前公布的蓝图还有改进的空间，并指出他将在上任后研究此事。

2026年9月16日，国防部长提名人姜新哲出席国会听证会。（韩联社）

sookim@yna.co.kr (完)

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