South Korea: 30 Military Personnel Under Investigation for Alleged Martial Law Involvement
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Synopsis
An investigation is ongoing into 30 military members, including 17 generals, regarding their alleged involvement in a failed martial law attempt by President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3. The Defence Ministry has reported the investigation findings to lawmaker Ahn Gyu-back.
Key Takeaways
- 30 military members, including 17 generals, are under investigation.
- Gen. Park An-su is the highest-ranking officer involved.
- The Defence Counterintelligence Command has the most personnel under scrutiny.
- Indictments include charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
- No junior officers are currently implicated.
Seoul, Feb 19 (NationPress) An investigation involving a total of 30 military personnel, which includes 17 generals, is currently underway concerning their purported roles in South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful effort to enforce martial law on December 3, as reported by a lawmaker referencing a defence ministry document.
According to the ministry report provided to Rep. Ahn Gyu-back of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), authorities have notified 17 generals and 13 field grade officers regarding their investigations tied to Yoon's brief martial law declaration, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The highest-ranking service member under scrutiny is Gen. Park An-su, Chief of Staff of the Army, who was designated as the martial law commander and is the only four-star general facing investigation.
The roster further includes five three-star generals: Lt. Gen. Jeong Jin-pal, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and deputy martial law commander; Lt. Gen. Won Cheon-hee, head of the Defence Intelligence Agency; Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, former chief of the Defence Counterintelligence Command; Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, former head of the Army Special Warfare Command; and Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, former head of the Capital Defence Command.
Additionally, the list comprises three two-star generals, five one-star generals, three slated for one-star promotions, 11 colonels, one lieutenant colonel, and one major.
Currently, no junior officers, noncommissioned officers, or conscripts are being investigated.
Regarding unit affiliations, the Defence Counterintelligence Command has the highest number of implicated members, with eight personnel under investigation linked to martial law operations.
The command faces allegations of deploying troops to detain politicians and plotting to seize the servers of the National Election Commission during the martial law period.
Of the 30 service members under investigation, Gen. Park, Lt. Gen. Yeo, Lt. Gen. Lee, Lt. Gen. Kwak, and Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, former head of the Defence Intelligence Command, have been indicted on charges related to insurrection and abuse of power.
