As controversies surrounding the Korean War and China continue to arise at agencies under the Ministry of National Defense, it was belatedly revealed that Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek cited a passage from Mao Zedong's writings as his personal motto during a visit to the Air Force Academy, sparking fierce criticism from the political sphere.

People Power Party floor leader Jung Jeom-sik brought the issue into the public arena at a party strategy meeting at the National Assembly on the 11th, demanding that President Lee Jae-myung immediately dismiss Minister Ahn.

According to floor leader Jung, Minister Ahn introduced the phrase "chubyeonbulgyeong" (remain undisturbed amid changes) as his personal motto during a visit to the Air Force Academy in June, emphasizing that it was Mao Zedong's motto.

Floor leader Jung reminded that the Korean War was a war of aggression launched by Kim Il-sung with Stalin's permission and Mao Zedong's support, and argued, "It is a problem when a defense minister from an administration that cannot even answer who our main enemy is extols Mao Zedong's motto as if it were a golden rule in front of cadets."

He also raised the allegations of Ahn's desertion, criticizing, "With such a figure holding the ministerial position and confusing friend and foe within our military, our national security is rotting from within." He added, "Minister Ahn Kyu-baek's very existence is a mockery of the military," urging the president to dismiss him immediately. The Ministry of National Defense's explanation that Minister Ahn's remark was a "humanistic metaphor" also became a target of floor leader Jung's criticism. He pointed out, "If confusing friend and foe is humanities, then pro-North Korea lecturers should be called great humanists."

Floor leader Jung also referenced a past controversy in which the phrase "resisting America and aiding Korea" was used in a Korean War education program run by the War Memorial of Korea, an agency under the Ministry of National Defense, stating, "This is no different from writing Japanese imperialist phrases like 'Japan and Korea as one body' at the Independence Hall of Korea."

Meanwhile, floor leader Jung also raised his voice in criticism of the Lee Jae-myung administration's approach to pushing policies. He took issue with the Democratic Party's attitude of invoking public sentiment regarding the ISA (Individual Savings Account) reform plan and the order to reconsider the short-selling regulation bill, arguing, "It is a contradiction to force through policies such as the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, the Yellow Envelope Act, and the anti-disinformation law despite public concerns." He urged, "Stop this amateurish state administration that cannot distinguish when to follow public sentiment and when to go against it."

Earlier, on June 15, Minister Ahn Kyu-baek stated at a meeting at the Air Force Academy that "chubyeonbulgyeong" was his motto. In response, the Ministry of National Defense explained, "It was merely a humanistic metaphor meant to convey the message of responding without being shaken by changes in circumstances, and there was no intention to defend any specific political figure or ideology."