Defense minister retained after maligned nominee drops out . MARCH 23, 2013 01:08. . President Park Geun-hye on Friday retained Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin from the previous administration after her nominee, Kim Byung-kwan, dropped out of the running due to criticism for a series of ethical lapses.

In a brief public statement, the beleaguered nominee said, “I have stepped down as nominee for defense minister to help normalize government affairs. I hope that the present security crisis will be overcome and our national defense grows stronger.”