Military identifies 180 personnel over martial law involvement, vows strict accountability based on law and principles

[Financial News] The military authorities released the findings of the Constitutional Compliance Government Innovation Task Force and the Defense Special Investigation Headquarters, revealing that a large number of service members involved in the December 3 emergency martial law were identified. The ministry has launched a sweeping personnel overhaul and a drive to restore discipline.
At the Ministry of National Defense on the 12th, Minister Ahn Kyu-baek said that about 180 service members who were involved in the martial law plan had been identified and were either being referred for criminal investigation or subjected to disciplinary measures. He emphasized that, regardless of rank or position, the ministry would enforce "strict accountability based on law and principles" to restore the military’s damaged honor and regain public trust.
Ahn stated, "I promise to do my utmost to the very end so that the principle of strict accountability is firmly established within our armed forces in response to the unprecedented situation of the December 3 insurrection." He added, "Starting with today’s announcement, we will wipe away the stigma left by the illegal martial law and use this as an opportunity to rebuild a ‘military of the people.’"
The Ministry of National Defense has identified around 180 individuals who were directly or indirectly involved in the martial law scheme, of whom 114 have been referred for investigation or are currently under investigation. Including some who overlap with those cases, 48 will face disciplinary proceedings, and 75 will receive warnings or cautions.
Based on earlier investigative findings, the ministry is proceeding with disciplinary procedures for those already recommended for discipline or indicted. It reported that 35 individuals have so far received heavy disciplinary sanctions, and 29 have filed appeals as of now.
The Defense Special Investigation Headquarters investigated personnel transferred from the Special Counsel for Insurrection and indicted a total of eight officers at the Seoul Central District Court. They include three generals — then-2nd Armored Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Gu Sam-hoe, Ministry of National Defense Director for Innovation Planning Brig. Gen. Bang Jeong-hwan, and then-3rd Airborne Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Kim Jong-su — as well as five colonels from units such as the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) and the Capital Defense Command. They are charged with offenses including performing key duties in an insurrection and abuse of authority by obstructing the exercise of rights. Disciplinary procedures for these officers are also under way.
Through this round of activities, the ministry confirmed that: after the National Assembly voted to lift martial law, the Martial Law Command continued to identify additional deployable units such as the 2nd Rapid Response Division; the Defense Intelligence Command had conducted prior simulations to occupy the National Election Commission (NEC); and the Defense Counterintelligence Command and the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters had organized arrest teams and checked detention facilities in preparation for detaining politicians and other key figures.
Over the past six months, the Ministry of National Defense deployed more than 120 personnel to investigate and probe about 860 officers, including generals and field-grade officers, from 24 units and agencies where suspicions related to the martial law plan had been raised.
The inquiry was conducted through interviews with those involved and a review of records, focusing on whether they were directly or indirectly involved in preparing or executing the martial law plan. The ministry then determined the level of action — referral for investigation, disciplinary recommendation, warning, or caution — by considering factors such as whether the person had decision-making authority, their rank, the timing of their actions, and their specific role.
Brig. Gen. Park Jeong-hoon, head of the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, said, "The Constitutional Compliance Task Force questioned many individuals, but there were clear limits to an investigation without coercive powers." He continued, "There are many aspects of the Defense Intelligence Command that have not yet come to light. Based on some of the circumstances and evidence we have confirmed, we plan to investigate more deeply."
Regarding the division of roles with the second special counsel investigation, he explained, "The Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters will handle the initial phase concerning insurrection and treason, while the second-stage investigation and any indictments will be handled by the special counsel." He added, "We will soon meet face-to-face with the second special counsel to establish a close system of cooperation."
The Constitutional Compliance Government Innovation Task Force is being disbanded as of today. For allegations that remain insufficiently clarified — particularly those involving the Defense Counterintelligence Command, the Defense Intelligence Command, and other organizations that were deeply involved in the martial law plan but handle classified information — a new Dedicated Insurrection Investigation Headquarters, led by Park, will continue the probe.
Meanwhile, former Commander of Drone Operations Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae, who is on trial after being investigated by the Special Counsel for Insurrection over the so-called "Pyongyang drone" allegations, has received a heavy disciplinary sanction and has been dismissed from his post.
Kim is accused of directing a drone infiltration operation toward Pyongyang last October, bypassing the normal reporting chain, in order to create a pretext for declaring emergency martial law. Prosecutors allege he acted on orders from former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Kim was previously indicted on December 10 last year on charges including abuse of authority, drafting false official documents, and issuing and reporting false orders. He was removed from his position at that time.

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wangjylee@fnnews.com Lee Jong-yoon Reporter