▲ Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul attends a parliamentary hearing at the National Assembly on Sept. 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul on Wednesday apologized over the short-lived imposition of martial law in 2024, saying he felt heavy responsibility for the incident that occurred while serving as the deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC).

Kang made the remarks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing, as a ruling party lawmaker said the nominee cannot evade "moral" and "political" accountability for the Dec. 3 martial law imposed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"I feel heavy accountability and deep responsibility as someone who was at the highest rank," Kang said, adding, "I offer my sincere apologies to the people."

Kang called the martial law declaration the military's undermining of the constitutional order.

The nominee was serving as a four-star Army general at the time of the martial law decree but avoided involvement in it as he worked as the CFC deputy commander.

Kang said he told then U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Ge. Paul LaCamera to have faith in South Korea's legal system as he witnessed the National Assembly passing a motion demanding the lifting of martial law.

On the government's push to integrate the military academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Kang repeatedly stressed that he has the "resolve" to innovate the military academies.

The defense minister nominee, however, said the current blueprint released by the defense ministry has room for improvement, noting he will look into the matter after his appointment.

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