By IANS
<p>Seoul, July 15 (IANS) South Korean Defence Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back pledged Tuesday to militarily support the government’s push to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and mend strained ties with North Korea.</p>
<p>"(If I take office), I will militarily support the government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," Ahn told a parliamentary confirmation hearing.</p>
<p>The minister nominee emphasised the importance of leaving doors open for engagement with the North, Yonhap news agency reported.</p>
<p>"While establishing deterrence based on immense military power, a door for dialogue to ease tension and build trust should be left open," Ahn said, vowing to seek "strength-based" and "sustainable" peace.</p>
<p>Ahn, a five-term lawmaker, was tapped as President Lee Jae Myung’s first defense minister last month.</p>
<p>He is the first civilian defence chief to be nominated in 64 ye