Seoul: President Yoon Suk Yeol has officially appointed Kim Yong-hyun, the former head of the Presidential Security Service, as South Korea's new defence minister. The appointment was confirmed on Friday, with Yoon presenting Kim with a certificate of appointment.

Kim, a retired three-star Army general and close advisor to Yoon, was nominated last month to replace Shin Won-sik, who has transitioned to the role of national security adviser. Kim had played a significant role in relocating the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to the Defence Ministry's compound in Yongsan, Seoul, following Yoon's election in May 2022.

During his confirmation process, Kim faced intense scrutiny from opposition lawmakers. They raised concerns about recent security breaches at the presidential office, including incidents involving North Korean balloons filled with trash and drone incursions into nearby airspace.

Kim addressed these concerns by emphasizing his commitment to taking a strong stance against North Korea. He indicated that all military options, including the possibility of South Korea pursuing nuclear capabilities, would be considered if deemed necessary for national security.

In addition to Kim's appointment, Yoon also approved Ahn Chang-ho as the new head of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. However, Ahn's confirmation has faced challenges due to his controversial comments on anti-discrimination legislation. His remarks, which opposed the anti-discrimination bill and suggested it could lead to undesirable social changes, led to opposition lawmakers rejecting the confirmation hearing report.

Despite these controversies, the law allows the president to proceed with the appointment of ministerial nominees even if the parliamentary confirmation hearing does not endorse the candidate.

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