South Korea Defence Minister Accused of Deserting Army Decades Ago

South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back is facing renewed accusations about his military service from over 40 years ago. The allegations, denied by the government, claim that Ahn deserted his post during mandatory military duty in the 1980s. Ahn's official military record shows he served from November 1983 to August 1985, a total of about 22 months. At that time, most territorial defence soldiers were required to serve only 14 months. This discrepancy has raised questions about why Ahn's service was longer than normal. The accuser, whose identity has not been disclosed, alleges that Ahn left his unit without permission during his service and that the extra time was added to cover up the desertion. The government, however, maintains that Ahn fulfilled all his duties properly and that there is no evidence of desertion. Mandatory military service is a sensitive issue in South Korea, where all able-bodied men must serve for about 18 to 22 months. Any hint of avoiding duty can damage a public figure's reputation. The defence minister’s office has dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. An investigation into the claims is reportedly underway. The controversy comes at a time of heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, with the defence minister playing a key role in national security.