South Korea’s Defense Minister Nominee: A Call to Reconsider The 2018 Military Agreement

South Korea’s Defense Minister Nominee: A Call to Reconsider The 2018 Military Agreement

Suh Wook’s Hard Stance on the 9.19 Military Agreement

Suh Wook, the nominee for South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, has recently reiterated his view that the 9.19 South-North military agreement signed in 2018 should be abolished. This agreement, which aimed to reduce military tensions between the two nations, has come under criticism for its alleged contribution to the weakening of South Korea’s military capabilities. Suh’s stance underlines his belief that the agreement has led to significant military vulnerabilities that require urgent addressing.

Regret Over Past Remarks

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The nominee has also expressed regret over his past remarks made at rallies. Controversial statements, including one suggesting a potential decapitation of Moon Jae-in, were made in a personal capacity, criticizing the Moon Jae-in administration’s defense policy for negatively impacting national defense. Suh explained that these comments were not intended to incite violence but to express deep concern over the current state of the nation’s defenses.

Addressing Military Vulnerabilities

Suh plans to take immediate action to address the vulnerabilities that have arisen as a result of the 9.19 military agreement. He has indicated that he will conduct a thorough review of the overall military vulnerabilities and implement improvements as quickly as possible. Specific areas of concern include the establishment of no-fly zones, which have led to decreased surveillance capabilities towards North Korea, and restrictions on precision strikes.

North Korea’s Nuclear Capabilities

When it comes to North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, Suh believes the likelihood of North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons is low, given its trend towards advanced nuclear and missile capabilities. However, he stresses the importance of continuous efforts to persuade North Korea that giving up nuclear weapons would be advantageous. This stance maintains the government’s consistent stance on complying with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Renaming and Relocation Controversies

One of the key issues that Suh has addressed is the controversy surrounding the renaming of the navy’s 1800 ton-class submarine ‘Hong Beom-do’ and the relocation of the statue of General Hong Beom-do at the Army Academy. The nominee believes it is essential to consider the identity of the Army Academy and to relocate the statue of General Hong, who has a communist history. He has indicated that the process of renaming and relocating should be conducted carefully, taking into account various opinions and perspectives.

A Summary of Suh Wook’s Stance

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In summary, Suh Wook’s nomination for the position of South Korea’s Minister of National Defense brings to the forefront his belief that the 9.19 South-North military agreement must be abolished due to significant military vulnerabilities. He maintains that North Korea is unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons and emphasizes the government’s continued commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. His regret over past remarks made at rallies demonstrates his commitment to maintaining a professional and respectful discourse on matters of national defense.