On the 9th of September during a parliamentary session, South Korea's Minister of National Defense, Ahn Gyu-baek, strongly criticized a statement made by lawmaker Park Chung-kwon, who claimed that the military's only function was to coddle Kim Jong-un rather than focus on national defense and training. Ahn expressed his disappointment, calling for Park to apologize for what he termed as a betrayal of the military, which he emphasized had been dedicated to safeguarding the nation and its people.

Ahn, upon returning from a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia aimed at reinforcing defense and military cooperation, noted that he received reports of the unsettling comments made during the National Assembly session. He passionately defended the military's commitment to national security, questioning how anyone could make such disparaging remarks about a force that remains devoted to serving and protecting the country. Ahn's remarks highlight a tension between military priorities and political discourse in South Korea amidst ongoing security concerns, especially related to North Korea.

The incident reflects ongoing strife within South Korea's political landscape regarding defense policy and North Korean threats. Ahn insisted on the military's longstanding commitment to serving the country without the distraction of political machinations. He urged Park to refrain from making further derogatory comments, signaling the gravity of how political remarks can undermine national security and military morale. This controversy may affect public perception of both the military and the lawmakers questioning its effectiveness, potentially leading to broader discussions about South Korea's defense strategy and its approach to North Korea.