Questions surrounding
Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back’s military service have resurfaced, with the government and his accuser offering conflicting accounts of what happened more than four decades ago.
At the centre of the dispute is a gap in Ahn’s military record. His record shows he began mandatory service on November 5, 1983, and was discharged on August 31, 1985, amounting to roughly 22 months. Territorial defence soldiers at the time normally served for 14 months.
His accuser alleged the discrepancy reflected an absence without leave lasting several months, a period of detention and a subsequent order to complete additional service.
Ahn and the Ministry of National Defence said he never deserted his unit and attribute irregularities in his military record to administrative errors.
The issue first drew wider attention during Ahn’s confirmation hearing as defence minister last year.
South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back (left) and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, inspect honour guards during a welcoming ceremony in Seoul on June 28. Photo: EPA
Rejecting the allegations, Ahn told lawmakers he had never vacated his post. “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.”