SEOUL, March 22 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Park Geun- hye decided on Friday to retain incumbent Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin amid mounting tension on the Korean Peninsula.
"President Park made the decision as (the defense minister nomination) can no longer be delayed by political disputes and parliamentary hearing given the urgent national security situation, " presidential spokeswoman Kim Haing told a press briefing.
The spokeswoman mentioned the cyber attack on computer networks of local broadcasters and banks, saying that the national security was in danger amid the repeated war threats by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Park's decision came after her nominee for defense minister offered to resign following a series of ethical lapses.
Kim Kwan-jin is the first defense minister to remain in office in the country's history. He will not be subject to the parliamentary confirmation hearing.
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