Ahead of the second impeachment motion vote in the South Korean National Assembly, President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly considered appointing Han Ki Ho, a PPP lawmaker known for previously proposing strikes against North Korean forces, as the successor to former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who oversaw the imposition of martial law. Han is reported to have declined the offer.
According to political sources, on Friday, after Kim’s resignation, President Yoon initially nominated Choi Byung Hyuk, the South Korean ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who also declined. Yoon then approached Han Ki Ho, a four-term lawmaker and National Assembly Defense Committee member, for the role. Han, a retired three-star general, had made headlines in October when he sent a text message to Shin Won Sik suggesting an attack on North Korean troops deployed in Russia.
During the audit, the media photographed Han sending a message to Shin that read, “If we can coordinate with Ukraine, it would be good to bomb and strike North Korean military units with missiles, causing damage and using this for psychological warfare against North Korea.” Shin responded, “I will take care of it.” When Han further suggested, “Shouldn’t we also have liaison officers, not just a deployment?” Shin replied, “That will happen.”
The opposition party immediately criticized the move as a new North Wind operation orchestrated by the PPP, Yongsan, and the Ministry of National Defense. In response, Han defended himself by saying, “I was simply sharing my personal thoughts, not an official position.” He rebuked critics, saying, “Those who have never served in the military and do not understand military terminology interpret this as a call for war.”
Han Dong Hoon, a senior PPP official, reportedly expressed concern about Yoon’s intention to appoint Han Ki Ho as Defense Minister. He stated, “President Yoon is under investigation for leading an illegal martial law operation and should not exercise command over the military. It is highly inappropriate for him to make Defense Minister appointments now.”
Han Ki Ho is also reported to have declined the offer, allegedly stating, “Who would take this position under these circumstances?”
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