South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back’s military service record is again under scrutiny, after renewed disputes over events from more than four decades ago. Multiple accounts focus on an apparent gap in his service. Officially, Ahn’s record shows he started mandatory service on November 5, 1983 and was discharged on August 31, 1985—about 22 months in total. At the time, territorial defense soldiers typically served about 14 months. Ahn’s accuser argues the discrepancy suggests he was absent without leave for several months, was detained, and then ordered to complete additional service. Ahn and the Ministry of National Defense reject the desertion allegation, saying he never left his unit and that irregularities reflected administrative errors in the record rather than misconduct. The controversy previously drew broader attention during Ahn’s confirmation process last year, when the allegations were raised in front of lawmakers. Ahn has denied vacating his post, telling lawmakers he “never deserted” and that he has “lived [his] life without anything to be ashamed of.”