South Korea’s defense ministry announced it will take severe disciplinary action against five senior Army officers linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law. The decision follows a committee meeting that reviewed the involvement of seven generals and one colonel in the December 3 martial law bid last year. Notably, Yeo In-hyung, Lee Jin-woo, and Kwak Jong-keun are facing serious disciplinary measures for their alleged roles in the insurrection.
Former head of the Defence Counterintelligence Command Yeo In-hyung, former chief of the Capital Defence Command Lee Jin-woo, and former commander of the Army Special Warfare Command Kwak Jong-keun are currently on trial for deploying troops during the martial law declaration. Yeo and Lee are likely to be removed from office, the most severe form of punishment, while Kwak is expected to face dismissal for his efforts to restore constitutional order and reveal the truth behind the martial law.
Additionally, a former Army vice chief of staff received the second-highest level of disciplinary action, and a colonel from the Defence Counterintelligence Command was suspended for two months. President Lee Jae Myung called for clarification from his budget minister nominee, Lee Hye-hoon, regarding her past support for Yoon’s martial law bid. The president emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve differences and develop better policies.
