'Disappointed by special supply claims, son's commercial property purchase'

'Acknowledges expertise, but doubts on security direction'

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won [Yonhap]
People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won [Yonhap]

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won said Monday he has known defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul for more than 20 years — and that he is disappointed. "I got to know him through my work as a military affairs journalist. I was shocked to see this side of him, and quite a few people feel the same way," Yoo said.

Speaking on YTN Radio, Yoo said many citizens were troubled by reports that Kang had received special housing supply allocations — reserved for displaced residents — not once but four times, covering himself, his father, his brother and his aunt. He added that Kang's son, not long after completing his military service and starting a job that paid around 2.5 million won ($1,810) a month, had borrowed 700 million won from his maternal aunt and uncle to purchase a commercial property.

Yoo also raised concerns about what he described as inconsistency in Kang's policy positions. "He seemed to align with the current administration's direction, but when the opposition raised pointed objections, he appeared to side with some of those as well — going back and forth," he said.

"The basic policy direction is quite at odds with the opposition's position, including my own," Yoo added. "Some of his stances seem to shift depending on the moment, and in that respect there are more than a few troubling aspects."

Yoo acknowledged that Kang has detailed expertise in defense matters, but said the core problem lies in his direction. "The direction needs to move clearly toward strengthening national security, and he says as much himself — but when I and other opposition members of the Defense Committee look at it, we worry it may be heading the other way," he said.


mp1256@heraldcorp.com