Seoul:The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has criticized Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul for comments perceived as undermining the South Korea-U.S. alliance. During a parliamentary audit, Kang questioned the reliability of the U.S. military in the event of a war with North Korea, a statement that has sparked controversy.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the PPP's chief spokesperson Park Choong-kwon condemned Kang's remarks, asserting they damage the 73-year-old alliance between South Korea and the United States. Kang's comments came in response to concerns from an opposition lawmaker about South Korea's efforts to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington.
Rep. Park called for President Lee Jae Myung to dismiss Kang, citing a lack of communication with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth since Kang assumed office. Other lawmakers have also criticized Kang, questioning his stance on national security issues.
The defense ministry clarified that Kang's remarks were not intended to question the alliance's credibility, but were a response to an opposition lawmaker's argument against a rapid OPCON transfer. The PPP also criticized Unification Minister Chung Dong-young for labeling land mines as defensive weapons, following mine blasts in the Demilitarized Zone that injured three South Korean soldiers.