JCS chief-nominee grilled about views on May 16 coup
Lee Sun-jin
By Jun Ji-hye
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman-nominee Lee Sun-jin was grilled over his controversial views about the military coup led by deceased former President Park Chung-hee on May 16, 1961, during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, Monday.
At the center of contention was Lee’s master’s thesis at which he described the military coup led by then-Maj. Gen. Park, the father of President Park Geun-hye, as a “military revolution.” The late Park seized power through the coup until 1979 when he was assassinated by his intelligence chief.
When Rep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), called on Lee to clearly express his position about the issue, Lee answered: “It is improper to talk about a personal view at this place.”
Rep. Moon said the view of a person who will be the JCS chairman is not personal.
“If you regard the military’s intervention in politics as revolutionary, we cannot entrust you with the military,” he said.
The JCS chairman is the top post in the military chain of command.
Rep. Yoo Seong-min of the ruling Saenuri Party asked Lee about whether he supports the South Korean government’s official position on the May 16 coup.
Lee again avoided answering directly, just saying, “There could be various opinions, but it is improper to disclose my personal view.”
When Rep. Joo Ho-young of the governing party said although there could be various opinions, a public figure should give priority to the government’s position, the nominee just said, “I will keep this in mind.”
Rep. Yoon Hu-duk of the NPAD recalled that Defense Minister Han Min-koo said during his hearing last year that textbooks state the May 16 coup was a military coup d’etat, and that he subscribed to that view.
Lee said, “I believe that was the minister’s view.”
The largest opposition party claimed it cannot approve the appointment of Lee as the JCS chairman if he continues to project such an insincere attitude.
Lee later apologized about his attitude and said he respects the government’s official position about the May 16 coup.
Lawmakers also bombarded Lee with questions about the accusation that he played golf on Aug. 9 even after it was disclosed that the landmine blast occurred in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas on Aug. 4 was blamed on North Korea. At the time, he served as the commander of the 2nd Operations Command.
“I was not aware that the mine explosion was the North’s provocation, but I acknowledge that my behavior was not thoughtful,” he said.
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