Appointment and Background
President of nominated , a five-term liberal lawmaker, as the country's defense minister, marking a departure from the long-standing practice of appointing retired military generals.
Ahn, who has been actively involved in defense matters and chaired a panel investigating the previous administration's martial law decree, is set to lead the military's transformation following its controversial mobilization.
Political Context and Implications
The nomination comes in the wake of high-profile criminal trials for former defense officials over their roles in last year's martial law under ex-President , who was removed from office.
Ahn's appointment is seen as a move to strengthen civilian control over the military, a promise made by Lee during his campaign, especially after the unrest caused by the previous administration's actions.