Questions persist over defense minister's military service record

Questions surrounding Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back’s military service have resurfaced, with the government and his accuser offering conflicting accounts of what happened more than four decades ago.

At the center of the dispute is a gap in Ahn's military record.

His record shows he began mandatory service on Nov.

5, 1983 and was discharged on Aug.

31, 1985, amounting roughly 22 months.

Territorial defense soldiers at the time normally served for 14 months.

His accuser alleges the discrepancy reflects an absence without leave lasting several months, a period of detention and a subsequent order to complete additional service.

Ahn and the Ministry of National Defense said he never deserted his unit and attribute irregularities in his military record to administrative errors.

The issue first drew wider attention during Ahn’s confirmation hearing as defense minister last year.

Rejecting the allegations, Ahn told lawmakers he had never vacated his post.

“I never deserted (my post).

I have lived my life without anything to be ashamed of,” Ahn told lawmakers.

“The military record curren ...