South Korea's Yoon names security chief as new defence minister

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has approved the appointment of Kim Yong-hyun, the former head of the Presidential Security Service, as Defence Minister, and presented him with his certificate of appointment on September 6.

Kim, a retired three-star Army general and close aide to Yoon, was nominated for the position last month to succeed the former minister Shin Won-sik, who has since taken up the role of national security adviser, Caliber.Az reports via Korean media.

In his comments, Kim pledged to take a firm stance against North Korea and indicated that he is open to considering all military options, including South Korea's nuclear armament, if necessary to address security issues.

Following Yoon's election in May 2022, Kim was instrumental in relocating the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to the Defence Ministry's compound in Yongsan, central Seoul. He has served as the chief of the Presidential Security Service for over two years.

During his confirmation hearing, Kim faced intense questioning from opposition lawmakers regarding security breaches at the presidential office, including incidents involving North Korean trash-filled balloons landing within the compound in July and drone incursions into nearby airspace in December 2022.

Kim also addressed opposition concerns about the potential declaration of martial law, which could be suggested by the Defence Minister to the president. He dismissed these fears, asserting that the government has no such plans.

Yoon also approved the appointment of Ahn Chang-ho as the head of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. However, opposition lawmakers refused to endorse the confirmation hearing report due to his controversial remarks on the anti-discrimination law.