“We Will Respond to the People’s Anger and Disappointment with Military Reform”

Minister Ahn Gyu-back issues a statement marking one year since the December 3 emergency martial law.

Offers an apology for endangering the public and causing deep wounds to service members.

Stresses that there is no room for complacency in holding those responsible for the insurrection to account.

Vows to stand at the forefront of the difficult path to rebuilding a truly people's military.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back issues a statement marking the first anniversary of the Dec. 3 martial law crisis.

(Image: Minister Ahn announces the joint statement at the Korea-US Security Consultative Meeting on Nov. 14, 2025.)

On December 2, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back reaffirmed his strong commitment to military reform, declaring, "We will address the people's anger and disappointment over the December 3 martial law crisis through sincere reflection, not excuses." He also issued an official apology, as defense minister, for the military's role in endangering the public and leaving deep scars on the hearts of innocent service members.

On the eve of the first anniversary of the December 3 martial law crisis, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back posted a statement on Facebook, saying that the military would turn away from complacency and instead choose clear judgment to distinguish right from wrong, together with the resolve to pursue genuine reform.

Minister Ahn began his statement by reflecting, "On December 3, when the Republic of Korea's constitutional government stood at the edge of a cliff, we remember that harsh winter one year on." Minister Ahn continued, "However, December 3 is also the day when the victory of people's sovereignty is etched into history, a day that once again proved the timeless truth that 'arrogant power can never defeat the people,' no matter what arms are mobilized."

As the head of the Defense Ministry representing the military, Minister Ahn apologized to the people. He stated, "On behalf of the military, I offer a formal apology for placing the public at risk by becoming involved in an insurrection, despite our duty to protect the people; for leaving deep wounds on the hearts of the vast majority of innocent service members; and for committing grave misconduct by unlawfully infringing upon constitutional institutions, including the National Assembly and the National Election Commission."

Minister Ahn continued, "As the first civilian Defense Minister in 64 years and the inaugural Defense Minister of the People's Sovereign Government, I pledge to sever ties with the past misused as a tool for declaring martial law and to rebirth the military as truly the people's force." He highlighted ongoing efforts to reform military leadership, including official acknowledgments and apologies from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Minister Ahn said, "Firmly believing that this moment represents a historic turning point toward ending rebellion and entrenching civilian control of the military, I devoted myself without wavering from start to finish. By strictly adhering to the principle of 'never leaving merit unrewarded and never allowing wrongdoing to go unpunished,' I restored the broken boundary between politics and the military while resolutely reinforcing the armed forces' defense readiness."

Minister Ahn stated, "Despite these efforts, we continue to experience advances and setbacks in the wake of the rebellion." He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to advancing military reform in response to the December 3 martial law crisis. Minister Ahn emphasized, "As the old saying goes, 'Though the sky's net is vast and appears loose, it never fails to catch.' Likewise, the elements of rebellion lurking everywhere cannot escape the people's net. There is no room for complacency amid the vast challenge of purging rebellion."

Minister Ahn added, "The root cause of the December 3 internal sedition lies in insufficient reflection and reasonable compromise, echoing the scars of our modern history-the May 16 military revolution, December 12 coup d'état, and May 18 Gwangju Massacre. Without putting a period to these failures, we cannot write the next chapter. True recovery of the military's honor is impossible without confronting and challenging these repeated mistakes."

Minister Ahn continued, "The military must begin by reforming itself from within and then restore the people's trust through sincerity that can move heaven. As Defense Minister and as a politician who has long stood with the people, I am confident that our military will flow, like a majestic river, toward the vast sea of a true people's military."

Minister Ahn concluded, "When the military's spirit aligns with the people's hearts, the people's military will be reborn as an even stronger force. Leading at the forefront of rebuilding the people's military, I will forge ahead steadfastly, without hesitation, alongside soldiers dedicated to protecting our fatherland."

By Byeong-No, Yun <[email protected] >

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