By Choi Ha-young
The deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here needs National Assembly scrutiny, rather than ratification, Defense Minister nominee Song Young-moo said Wednesday.
At a confirmation hearing, Song was equivocal about the installment of the anti-missile system needing parliamentary ratification.
Asked whether the government should secure ratification, he said, "It is difficult to choose between yes or no. But I think the National Assembly should reveal (procedural suspicions) to the people through discussions, and questions and answers. This doesn't mean that ratification is a prerequisite."
Song said the ongoing environmental study on the deployment should be completed quickly.
He said he will visit the site of the THAAD battery in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, if he takes office.
"After an inspection, I will figure out how to persuade the residents and propose deploying it as soon as possible to President Moon Jae-in," he said.
President Moon has reiterated that the Assembly should look into the deployment first, while conservative opposition parties are against this because doing so will delay the deployment further.
Ethical lapses
He faced tough questions from opposition lawmakers over numerous alleged ethical lapses and illicit relations with the arms industry.
Lawmakers of the largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) mainly targeted his high consulting fees received from a law firm and a defense company. After retiring from service as a chief of naval operations in March 2008, Song joined the law firm Yulchon in early 2009 and received 30 million won ($26,258) per month for 33 months.
In addition, he worked as an adviser for LIG Nex1, a local defense company; and over two-and-a-half years he received around 240 million won.
Speculation has been rampant that the exceptionally high consulting fees were in return for his role as a lobbyist, allegedly involving corruption related to the defense industry.
The nominee apologized over the high fees, but dismissed any suggestion of corruption. "I accepted Yulchon's offer to establish a legal framework for the arms industry. I gave advice about underwater combat systems."
He added, "For a few years, LIG Nex1 handled enormous submarine exports to Indonesia. I'm proud of contributing to these exports."
Song defined corruption in the arms industry as "acts benefiting the enemy."
The navy veteran proposed six reforms ― enhancing the culture in military camps, strengthening the military, consolidating the ROK-U.S. alliance, improving working conditions for female soldiers, fostering cutting-edge technology for the defense industry and constructing a comprehensive defense system to overcome nonmilitary threats.
Regarding his reform policies to break the illicit ties between the military and the defense industry, ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Lee Cheol-hee pointed out alleged resistance in the ministry. Song partly agreed with this.
"I will concentrate on nurturing IT experts to deter North Korean cyberattacks," he said.
Rep. Kim Dong-cheol of the People's Party claimed Song virtually put the brakes on an investigation into a large-scale procurement corruption case involving naval officials in 2007. Kim also accused him of political bias citing past bids to get a parliamentary seat with the DPK.
Song was further grilled over driving under the influence of alcohol in March 1991. On Tuesday, Rep. Kim Hack-yong of the LKP produced evidence that showed his blood alcohol level was at 0.11 percent, which was enough to have his license cancelled.
Since he was not punished over the violation and didn't inform Cheong Wa Dae of the incident, the presidential office was not aware of it.
Song straightforwardly admitted his wrongdoing. "I will never answer back about it. However, I never attempted to conceal the case or try to avoid punishment."
DPK lawmakers tried to clear up charges that he falsely registered his residence and his daughter received preferential treatment when getting a job at the state-run Agency for Defense Development. "The apartment that he tried to buy was a small and cheap one in Daejeon," DPK-leaning independent lawmaker Suh Young-kyo said.
"Song's daughter received additional points, since he is a man of merit," Rep. Kim Byung-kee said. In 1999, Song led the overwhelming victory of an inter-Korean naval skirmish that took place following a North Korean patrol boat's surprise attack.
While opposition lawmakers pelted the nominee with incessant questions, Rep. Kim Joong-ro of the People's Party, a retired major general, solely advocated Song, defying the party platform. "I believe he is the right person to push for military reform with determination and faithfulness," Kim said.
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| Song Young-moo |
At a confirmation hearing, Song was equivocal about the installment of the anti-missile system needing parliamentary ratification.
Asked whether the government should secure ratification, he said, "It is difficult to choose between yes or no. But I think the National Assembly should reveal (procedural suspicions) to the people through discussions, and questions and answers. This doesn't mean that ratification is a prerequisite."
Song said the ongoing environmental study on the deployment should be completed quickly.
He said he will visit the site of the THAAD battery in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, if he takes office.
"After an inspection, I will figure out how to persuade the residents and propose deploying it as soon as possible to President Moon Jae-in," he said.
President Moon has reiterated that the Assembly should look into the deployment first, while conservative opposition parties are against this because doing so will delay the deployment further.
Ethical lapses
He faced tough questions from opposition lawmakers over numerous alleged ethical lapses and illicit relations with the arms industry.
Lawmakers of the largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) mainly targeted his high consulting fees received from a law firm and a defense company. After retiring from service as a chief of naval operations in March 2008, Song joined the law firm Yulchon in early 2009 and received 30 million won ($26,258) per month for 33 months.
In addition, he worked as an adviser for LIG Nex1, a local defense company; and over two-and-a-half years he received around 240 million won.
.jpg/dims/resize/84/optimize)
Speculation has been rampant that the exceptionally high consulting fees were in return for his role as a lobbyist, allegedly involving corruption related to the defense industry.
The nominee apologized over the high fees, but dismissed any suggestion of corruption. "I accepted Yulchon's offer to establish a legal framework for the arms industry. I gave advice about underwater combat systems."
He added, "For a few years, LIG Nex1 handled enormous submarine exports to Indonesia. I'm proud of contributing to these exports."
Song defined corruption in the arms industry as "acts benefiting the enemy."
The navy veteran proposed six reforms ― enhancing the culture in military camps, strengthening the military, consolidating the ROK-U.S. alliance, improving working conditions for female soldiers, fostering cutting-edge technology for the defense industry and constructing a comprehensive defense system to overcome nonmilitary threats.
Regarding his reform policies to break the illicit ties between the military and the defense industry, ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Lee Cheol-hee pointed out alleged resistance in the ministry. Song partly agreed with this.
"I will concentrate on nurturing IT experts to deter North Korean cyberattacks," he said.
Rep. Kim Dong-cheol of the People's Party claimed Song virtually put the brakes on an investigation into a large-scale procurement corruption case involving naval officials in 2007. Kim also accused him of political bias citing past bids to get a parliamentary seat with the DPK.
Song was further grilled over driving under the influence of alcohol in March 1991. On Tuesday, Rep. Kim Hack-yong of the LKP produced evidence that showed his blood alcohol level was at 0.11 percent, which was enough to have his license cancelled.
Since he was not punished over the violation and didn't inform Cheong Wa Dae of the incident, the presidential office was not aware of it.
Song straightforwardly admitted his wrongdoing. "I will never answer back about it. However, I never attempted to conceal the case or try to avoid punishment."
DPK lawmakers tried to clear up charges that he falsely registered his residence and his daughter received preferential treatment when getting a job at the state-run Agency for Defense Development. "The apartment that he tried to buy was a small and cheap one in Daejeon," DPK-leaning independent lawmaker Suh Young-kyo said.
"Song's daughter received additional points, since he is a man of merit," Rep. Kim Byung-kee said. In 1999, Song led the overwhelming victory of an inter-Korean naval skirmish that took place following a North Korean patrol boat's surprise attack.
While opposition lawmakers pelted the nominee with incessant questions, Rep. Kim Joong-ro of the People's Party, a retired major general, solely advocated Song, defying the party platform. "I believe he is the right person to push for military reform with determination and faithfulness," Kim said.
