{
  "id": 16849653,
  "title": "PPP slams defense minister over remarks on trusting US forces in event of war with N. Korea",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/ppp-slams-defense-minister-over-remarks-on-trusting-us-forces-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T05:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20261028/ppp-slams-defense-minister-over-remarks-on-trusting-us-forces-in-event-of-war-with-n-korea"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has criticized Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul for undermining the South Korea-U.S. alliance with his remarks on trusting U.S. military in the event of a war with North Korea. During a parliamentary audit on Monday, Kang questioned whether South Korea can truly trust the U.S. military if a conflict erupted with North Korea, amid concerns over Seoul's ambition to regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington.\n\nKang's statements, according to PPP chief spokesperson Park Choong-kwon, are damaging the trust in the 73-year-old alliance. Rep. Park accused Kang of pushing ahead with OPCON transfer without engaging in any discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth since assuming office last month. He urged President Lee Jae Myung to immediately remove Kang from his position, stating that he is no longer fit to serve as defense minister.\n\nOther lawmakers have also condemned Kang's remarks, raising doubts about his perspective on national security. The PPP's criticism highlights growing concerns about the defense minister's stance and its potential impact on the delicate balance of the alliance.",
  "summary": "The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday accused Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul of undermining the South Korea-U.S. alliance over his remarks about trusting the U.S. military in the event of a war with North Korea. Kang came under fire during a parliamentary audit Monday when he questioned whether South Korea can \"really trust the U.S. military\" if a war broke out with North…",
  "key_points": [
    "PPP criticizes Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul for undermining US alliance.",
    "Kang questioned South Korea's trust in US military during war with N. Korea.",
    "PPP calls for President Lee Jae Myung to remove Kang from defense minister position."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The defense minister's skepticism regarding American military reliability threatens the stability of the long-standing alliance and complicates the sensitive process of transferring wartime operational control to South Korean authorities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "PPP slams defense minister over remarks on trusting U.S. forces in event of war with N. Korea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/ppp-slams-defense-minister-over-remarks-on-trusting-u-s-forces-in",
        "published": "2026-10-28T04:37:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}