Ministry of National Defense Relieves Navy Chief Kang Dong-gil of Duty... Second Four-Star General After Ju Seong-un

[Financial News] The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea has relieved Chief of Naval Operations Kang Dong-gil of his duties over allegations that he helped organize the martial law command during the December 3 emergency martial law. This is the second consecutive day that an active four-star general has been removed from duty, following Ground Operations Command Commander Ju Seong-un.
On the 13th, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jeong Bit-na stated, "As suspicions related to the insurrection case have been identified, Chief of Naval Operations Kang Dong-gil is being relieved of his duties as of today," adding, "The Vice Chief of Naval Operations will serve as acting chief."
The Navy will now operate under acting leadership by Vice Chief of Naval Operations Gwak Gwang-seop. This is expected to accelerate efforts to overhaul the top brass amid allegations of military involvement in the martial law declaration.
The Ministry of National Defense explained that during the December 3 emergency martial law, Kang served as Director of the Military Support Headquarters at the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (ROK JCS) and is suspected of having been ordered by the vice chairman of the ROK JCS to support the formation of the martial law command.
The ministry plans to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Kang and will take personnel action based on the outcome. However, unlike in the case of Commander Ju, it reportedly does not intend to request a separate criminal investigation, as Kang has been cooperative in submitting evidence and materials.
Earlier, on the 12th, the Ministry of National Defense relieved Commander Ju of his duties after receiving a report through the Ministry of National Defense Task Force for Constitutional Compliance and Government Innovation that raised suspicions of his involvement in the emergency martial law.
At the time of the December 3 emergency martial law, Commander Ju was leading the 1st Corps. The ministry is said to be verifying the facts after receiving a report that former Army 2nd Armored Brigade Commander Gu Sam-hoe, who is believed to have been deeply involved in the martial law, contacted his immediate superior, Commander Ju, on the day martial law was declared.
The back-to-back personnel actions against active four-star generals are unprecedented. Both Kang and Ju were promoted to full general in the round of promotions last September, after the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration. This has prompted criticism in some quarters that the personnel vetting process failed to screen them in advance.
In response, an official from the Ministry of National Defense explained, "Last September, minimizing the prolonged leadership vacuum after the martial law was the top priority, which limited our ability to conduct in-depth personnel vetting," and continued, "Allegations related to the martial law must be investigated thoroughly and transparently, regardless of rank or position, with no cover-up whatsoever. We will continue to do our utmost to establish a service environment where merit-based rewards and punishments are firmly upheld."
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wangjylee@fnnews.com Lee Jong-yoon Reporter