Seven of 37 disciplined generals sue Defense Ministry over martial law roles

Seven of the 37 general-level officers punished for alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed 2024 martial law bid have filed lawsuits against South Korea's Defense Ministry to overturn their disciplinary actions, ranging from expulsion to duty suspensions. The litigants include former Defense Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho and former Drone Operations Commander Kim Yong-dae. A ministry document submitted to Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party revealed the suits, while another 29 generals have appealed but not yet sued.

The document, disclosed during a parliamentary audit, showed that only former Army Special Warfare Command Commander Kwak Jong-keun—who was among eight generals reviewed in an earlier December 2025 disciplinary committee—accepted his dismissal without contest, citing his testimony in Yoon's trial. The ministry's probe last month examined around 860 general-level and field-grade officers, identifying about 180 involved in the December 3, 2024, martial law attempt.

Liittyvät artikkelit

Illustration of special counsel team discovering early 2024 martial law preparation documents by South Korea's Defense Counterintelligence Command, linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
AI:n luoma kuva

Special counsel finds signs of martial law preparations since early 2024

Raportoinut AI AI:n luoma kuva

A special counsel team said on May 4 it has found signs that the Defense Counterintelligence Command prepared for martial law since the first half of 2024, well before former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration in December that year. The team is investigating allegations surrounding the ousted president not covered by previous probes.

The former chief of South Korea's Drone Operations Command was removed from office on Thursday for his role in the botched martial law imposition of late 2024. The defense ministry took this severe disciplinary action against Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae, who is accused of dispatching drones to North Korea in October 2024 on orders from former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Raportoinut AI

A special counsel team demanded a 30-year prison term for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of benefiting the enemy by allegedly ordering military drones over Pyongyang in 2024. The team, led by Cho Eun-suk, also requested 25 years for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on the same charges. Prosecutors believe the October 2024 dispatch aimed to provoke North Korean retaliation as a pretext for Yoon's failed martial law bid.

Thousands rallied in central Seoul on Saturday to commemorate or oppose the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster. Supporters and opponents gathered near the Constitutional Court and National Assembly. No clashes were reported.

Raportoinut AI

The U.S. State Department stated on Friday that former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's life sentence for his failed 2024 martial law attempt is a matter for South Korea's judicial system, while reaffirming Washington's 'ironclad' commitment to the alliance. A spokesperson emphasized respect for the independence of South Korea's democratic institutions. This follows the Seoul Central District Court's sentencing of Yoon to life imprisonment on Thursday for leading an insurrection.

Tämä verkkosivusto käyttää evästeitä

Käytämme evästeitä analyysiä varten parantaaksemme sivustoamme. Lue tietosuojakäytäntömme tietosuojakäytäntö lisätietoja varten.
Hylkää