Favoritism Allegations Raised Over Four-Star General's Son's Profile Photo

Favoritism allegations have been raised after it was revealed that the eldest son of Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul posted on his KakaoTalk profile a photo taken with his father, then a serving four-star general, while serving as a second lieutenant—the lowest officer rank in the military. The photo shows the nominee and his eldest son standing together in military uniform, along with markings related to the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command and a general's flag denoting four-star rank. At the time, Kang was serving as deputy commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, holding the rank of full general.

During the National Assembly National Defense Committee's personnel confirmation hearing the previous day, Rep. Cheon Ha-ram of the Reform Party released the photo, saying, "Wouldn't everyone in the unit know he is a four-star general's son and treat him specially?" and demanded the submission of his military service records. On CBS Radio's "Park Sung-tae's News Show" on the 17th, Cheon pointed out, "If you're a four-star general's son, you don't need a profile photo like that—everyone in the unit already knows 'a general's son is joining our unit.'" He added, "Posting one anyway could make not only fellow service members but also superiors very uncomfortable," repeatedly raising the possibility of favoritism. On the 17th, Cheon again criticized Kang, saying it "undermines the perception of fairness within the military."

In response to the demand for his son's service records, Kang said, "Go to the unit and check how my son served." After criticism that his attitude was inappropriate, Kang apologized.

Meanwhile, Kang's confirmation hearing report was adopted on the 17th under the leadership of the Democratic Party. Lawmakers of the People Power Party did not attend the Defense Committee's plenary meeting, while Rep. Lim Jong-deok of the People Power Party and Rep. Cheon Ha-ram left after delivering remarks.