A scene of tank and artillery units, including K2 tanks and K9 self-propelled howitzers, conducting joint training in Qatar. [Photo = Yonhap News]

In relation to the recently surfaced issue of delays in defense budget execution, the Committee for the Countermeasures for the Livelihood of the Common People (Seomin Committee, Secretary-General Kim Sun-hwan) has filed a complaint with the police against senior government officials, including the President.

The Seomin Committee announced on the 21st that it had filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against four individuals, including the President, Kim Hyun-ji, the First Secretary of the Presidential Secretariat, Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister, and Ahn Kyu-baek, the Minister of National Defense, on charges of abuse of power, dereliction of duty, obstruction of business, and general treason.

In its complaint, the Seomin Committee stated, "In a situation where tensions on the Korean Peninsula are ongoing, disruptions in military budget execution are a grave matter that jeopardizes national security," and demanded a thorough investigation and legal accountability for the involved officials.

Late last year, the government drew controversy for failing to execute a defense budget totaling 1.8 trillion won, including operational costs and defense capability improvement funds, in a timely manner.

In response, a Ministry of National Defense official emphasized that there were no issues with budget operations, stating, "The defense expenses that were unpaid as of last month have all been paid."

Regarding the delay in defense budget execution, the official further explained, "The delay in timely payment of allowances was due to the insufficient available time of the unit officers responsible for administrative tasks, as time was required to verify supporting documents such as working hours and mission counts before the performance allowance could be paid."

However, the Seomin Committee countered, "Trust in the military has already been damaged, and operational disruptions have occurred due to delays in payments for soldiers' meals and clothing, as well as for defense industry contracts." The committee added that through this investigation, "related suspicions, including the disclosure of personal information of First Secretary Kim Hyun-ji, must be clearly clarified."

Reporter Im Yo-hee