South Korea Appoints First Civilian Defence Minister in 64 Years

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Ahn Gyu-back, a five-term Democratic Party lawmaker, as the first civilian Defence Minister in 64 years, signaling a major shift from the tradition of appointing retired military generals. This appointment fulfills Lee's campaign promise to reform the military following the brief martial law crisis under ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office after deploying troops to suppress political opposition. Ahn's background includes service on the National Assembly’s defence subcommittee and leading investigations into the martial law decree, positioning him to oversee the military's transformation. Alongside Ahn, President Lee has announced 11 other Cabinet nominations, including former Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun as Foreign Minister and veteran lawmaker Chung Dong-young as Unification Minister, reflecting a focus on diplomacy, regional peace, and addressing economic challenges. While Cabinet members will face confirmation hearings, most appointments do not require legislative approval due to the Democratic Party's majority. These moves underscore Lee's pragmatic approach aimed at uniting the nation, reforming the military, and advancing South Korea's diplomatic and domestic policy priorities.