Synopsis
The South Korean military has officially dismissed four senior commanders linked to the brief martial law declared by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision comes amid ongoing investigations into their alleged involvement in the failed martial law initiative.Key Takeaways
- Dismissal of four commanders due to martial law involvement.
- Ongoing investigations into President Yoon Suk Yeol's actions.
- Legal reviews for Army Chief of Staff.
- Accusations include troop deployment and political arrests.
- Failed attempts to investigate the Presidential Security Service.
Seoul, Jan 20 (NationPress) The military of South Korea has officially confirmed the dismissal of four high-ranking commanders implicated in the brief martial law declared by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision, made during disciplinary reviews by the defence ministry and the Army, impacts Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, who leads the Defence Counterintelligence Command; Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, head of the Defence Intelligence Command; Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, leader of the Capital Defence Command; and Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, as reported by the ministry.
These commanders are believed to have engaged in martial law activities during Yoon's failed attempt at martial law enforcement on December 3.
The dismissal is set to take effect on Tuesday, when the ministry will formally inform the four commanders about this decision.
Additionally, the ministry is reviewing the legal implications of potential disciplinary action against Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was in charge during the martial law attempt.
All four commanders, along with Park, have been suspended from their roles and are facing indictment with physical detention linked to their alleged involvement in the martial law initiative.
Moon is accused of deploying troops to the National Election Commission’s office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on the night of December 3, and of prior discussions concerning martial law operations. Yeo faces similar accusations, including ordering the arrest of key political figures.
Lee is charged with directing troop deployment to the National Assembly and instructing them to remove lawmakers from the premises, according to a report from Yonhap news agency.
Kwak is similarly alleged to have dispatched special operations forces to the National Assembly under orders from Yoon, aiming to secure the building and prevent a motion against martial law from being passed.
Earlier today, South Korean authorities made another unsuccessful attempt to search the Presidential Security Service (PSS) and a presidential safe house as part of their inquiry into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unsuccessful martial law initiative.
