• Veteran lawmaker Ahn Gyu-back appointed as South Korea's first civilian defence minister in 64 years.
• The appointment follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed martial law attempt.
• New cabinet members, including key ministers for foreign affairs and inter-Korean relations, have been nominated.

South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Ahn Gyu-back as the country's first civilian defence minister in 64 years, fulfilling a campaign promise aimed at enhancing military oversight. This appointment follows a tumultuous political backdrop, including the impeachment of the former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced backlash for attempting to impose martial law. Ahn's nomination symbolizes a significant shift towards civilian control over the military, especially in light of a public outcry for reforms after the controversy surrounding the martial law attempt, according to Reuters, TRT, and Channel News Asia.

President Lee's government announced Ahn's appointment alongside other key nominative measures, including Cho Hyun as foreign minister and Chung Dong-young as unification minister. Lee's selections reflect his commitment to address the past military issues and adeptly navigate inter-Korean relations, following a period marked by increased tensions under Yoon's administration. Lee aims for a more diplomatic approach, particularly regarding North Korea, where military ties have remained fragile, according to Reuters and TRT.

The historical significance of Ahn's appointment is underscored by the fact that South Korea has not had a civilian defence minister since the military coup in 1961. This change comes amidst ongoing calls for accountability and transparency within the military establishment, particularly since the events that led to Kim Yong-hyun's trial on insurrection charges. Such moves signal an intent to ensure that the defence ministry is increasingly governed by civilian oversight, addressing longstanding concerns about military influence in politics, according to Channel News Asia.