South Korea Breaks Tradition: First Civilian Defense Chief in 64 Years Amid Martial Law Scandal

In a remarkable break from a decades-long tradition rooted in military dominance, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Ahn Gyu-back, a seasoned liberal lawmaker with no military background, as the country’s first civilian defense minister in 64 years. This unprecedented move comes at a critical moment when several former top defense officials are embroiled in high-profile criminal trials related to last year’s unlawful martial law enforcement under ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol. Ahn's nomination is not merely symbolic; it reflects a growing demand among the South Korean public and lawmakers to reclaim civilian oversight over the military—oversight that has...