▲ Park Chan-dae (4th from R), floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly on Sept. 3, 2024. (Yonhap)

DP-defense minister nominee

DP slams defense minister nominee as 'unqualified' candidate

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said Tuesday that Defense Minister nominee Kim Yong-hyun is unqualified for the job, pointing to his involvement in selecting Seoul's central district of Yongsan as the site of the presidential office in 2022.

DP floor leader Park Chan-dae made the remark during a party meeting at the National Assembly, saying the current presidential office is vulnerable to North Korean threats and U.S. wiretapping after it relocated from the former presidential complex Cheong Wa Dae.

"Since then, the presidential office has been exposed to security threats and humiliating events, including U.S. wiretapping and North Korean drone infiltration, as well as trash balloons from the North falling into our front yard," Park said.

Park also denounced Kim's hard-line stance on North Korea, noting that his intention to follow the footsteps of former Defense Minister Shin Won-sik will only heighten tensions and raise fears over a war.

He then took issue with Kim's involvement in the presidential office and the defense ministry's alleged interference in the military's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours in July 2023.

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