South Korean Retired Generals’ Statement to Denounce the Defense Minister’s Absurd Remarks

2019-3-22, Statement by Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD)

The 4^th Friday of March has been designated as Day of Defending West Sea to honor the memory of the ROK soldiers who sacrificed their lives to defend the nation’s territorial water against North Korea’s brutal military provocations, including 46 sailors of the ROK Navy Cheonan ship that was sunk into the deep sea by North Korea’s torpedo attack on March 26, 2010.

Against this backdrop, all members of the Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD) cannot but express ‘deep regret’ over ROK Defense Minister’s preposterous remarks that insulted the sacrificed soldiers and their families. At a National Assembly hearing on March 20, 2019, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo downplayed the sinking of the Cheonan as “an unsavory incident between the two Koreas” to avoid using the term “North Korea’s provocation.”

Responding to why the KORGAD members are protesting the Inter-Korean Military Agreement signed on September 19, 2018 in Pyongyang, Jeong said that the retired generals’ actions stem from “misled knowledge and ideology.”

On top of this, President Moon has nominated Kim Yeon-chul, former President of Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU), to Minister of National Unification. Kim blindly advocated the Pyongyang regime and criticized President Lee Myung-bak’s “May 24 Measures,” calling the economic sanctions for penalizing the Cheonan provocation “a foolish act.”

After witnessing the sublime sacrifice of patriotic soldiers desecrated by the Moon administration, we urge as follows:

First, Defense Minister Jeong should give a sincere public apology to those killed in action defending the nation’s territorial waters and resign immediately.

Second, Defense Minister Jeong should elaborate on the “misled knowledge and ideology” that he claims to be guiding the retired veterans.  He should also declare his version of “correct knowledge and ideology” as a Defense Minister, who completely disregards former Defense Ministers and retired generals and admirals whose passion to protect the nation has led them to point out the pitfalls of the 9·19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement and voice concerns about the readiness and capability of the ROK Armed Forces and ROK-U.S. alliance.

Third, the government should withdraw the nomination of Kim Yeon-chul as Minister of National Unification since South Korean people cannot expect him to defend our national interests. We once again call on the Moon administration to stop the backpedaling of its defense policies and discard or correct all elements of self-injurious actions jeopardizing the national security.

March 22, 2019

Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD)

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About Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Corps Defending the Nation (KORGAD)

KORGAD was established on January 30, 2019 as a non-profit, non-partisan, and private NGO concerned about national security. Its establishment was directly prompted by the Inter-Korean Military Agreement signed on September 19, 2018, which is believed to undermine the security capabilities of the ROK Armed Forces and threaten the ROK-U.S. alliance that has provided the nation with a shield for security and prosperity. Its membership comprises some 750 patriotic South Korean retired generals and admirals including 8 former Defense Ministers and some 40 former four-star generals and civilian security experts. KORGAD, neither incorporated in or an agent of any government and/or a foreign principal, is solely supported by voluntary contributions of its members and strives to provide public services and enlighten the people pro bono publico in the area of national defense and security.