### South Korea's Historic Shift: First Civilian Defence Minister in 64 Years - In a groundbreaking move, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Ahn Gyu-back, a five-term liberal lawmaker, as the country's first civilian Defence Minister in 64 years. This decision marks a significant departure from the long-standing tradition of appointing retired military generals to this key position. The appointment is seen as a response to the recent political turmoil, particularly following the controversial martial law declared by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024, which led to widespread public outcry and Yoon's subsequent removal from office in April 2025 [https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/south-korea-gets-its-first-non-military-defence-chief-23577176, https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/south-korea-appoints-first-civilian-defence-minister-in-64-years]. ### Structure of the Response: Key Segments 1. **Background of the Appointment** - Overview of the political context leading to the appointment. - Significance of appointing a civilian over a military figure. 2. **Details of the Nomination** - Profile of Ahn Gyu-back and his political background. - The implications of this appointment for South Korea's defence policy. 3. **Public and Political Reactions** - Reactions from various political factions and the public. - The potential impact on public trust in democratic institutions. 4. **Future Implications** - What this appointment means for South Korea's military and political landscape. - Expectations for Ahn Gyu-back's tenure as Defence Minister. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Political Context**: The appointment comes after a period of instability, including the martial law crisis that led to Yoon Suk Yeol's removal. This context underscores the need for restoring public trust in democratic institutions [https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/south-korea-appoints-first-civilian-defence-minister-in-64-years]. - **Profile of Ahn Gyu-back**: Ahn has served on the parliament's defence committee and chaired investigations into the martial law declaration, positioning him as a knowledgeable figure for the role [https://sg.news.yahoo.com/south-korean-president-names-first-110236582.html]. - **Public Sentiment**: The appointment is viewed as a pivotal step in reshaping South Korea's political trajectory, with expectations that it will enhance civilian oversight of military affairs [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3467759-south-koreas-historic-civilian-defence-appointment-a-new-era-begins]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for South Korea's Defence 1. **Historic Appointment**: The nomination of Ahn Gyu-back as the first civilian Defence Minister in 64 years represents a significant shift in South Korea's political landscape, breaking away from military tradition. 2. **Restoration of Trust**: This move is part of broader efforts to restore public confidence in democratic institutions following the recent political crisis. 3. **Future Outlook**: Ahn's leadership is anticipated to bring a new perspective to South Korea's defence policies, emphasizing civilian oversight and accountability in military affairs. 4. **Political Implications**: The appointment could lead to a re-evaluation of military-civilian relations in South Korea, potentially influencing future governance and military strategy [https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-lee-names-first-civilian-defence-minister-decades-2025-06-23, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-koreas-lee-jae-myung-names-first-civilian-defence-minister-in-64-years/article69726715.ece].