Minister Ahn Gyu-baek said on the 12th that he removed Ground Operations Commanding General Ju Seong-un from duty, announcing the findings of the Ministry of National Defense's Constitution-respecting government innovation task force (TF). The decision came after confirming a tip that Ju was linked to the Dec. 3 emergency martial law and determining that an investigation is necessary. Ju became the Ground Operations Commanding General in the first round of four-star general appointments after the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration.
The Minister announced the results of activities by the TF and the Ministry of National Defense Special Investigation Headquarters, saying they have requested investigations or are taking disciplinary and other measures against more than 180 people involved in the Dec. 3 emergency martial law, including General Ju. Specifically, 114 people have been referred for investigation or are currently investigating, 48 people (including overlaps among investigation targets) face disciplinary demands, and 75 have received warnings or cautions.
The Minister explained about General Ju's alleged offenses, saying, "It is not at a stage where we can speak now, and it is in the process of being investigated."
The Ministry of National Defense is conducting disciplinary proceedings for those who received disciplinary demands and those who were indicted based on earlier findings. So far, 35 people have received heavy disciplinary action. In addition, the Special Investigation Headquarters investigated those referred by the special counsel for insurrection and indicted a total of eight people, including three generals and five colonels, at the Seoul Central District Court on charges including engagement in important duties related to insurrection and abuse of power and obstruction of another's rights.
The Ministry of National Defense said it confirmed the following: ▲ after the National Assembly voted to lift martial law, the Martial Law Headquarters identified additional available units, including the "2nd Rapid Response Division" ▲ the Defense Intelligence Command conducted advance simulations to occupy the National Election Commission ▲ to arrest politicians and other key figures, the Counterintelligence Command and the Criminal Investigation Command operated arrest teams and identified detention facilities.
Over the past six months, the Ministry of National Defense mobilized 120 people to investigate and probe 860 individuals, including general and field-grade officers, affiliated with 24 units and agencies suspected in connection with martial law. The inquiry involved interviews with those involved and record checks, confirming whether they were directly or indirectly involved in preparing and executing martial law. It then determined disciplinary levels by considering whether they had decision-making authority, their rank, and the timing and role of their actions.
For allegations involving the Counterintelligence Command and the Defense Intelligence Command, which were deeply involved in martial law but not yet fully clarified due to the nature of handling classified information, the "Insurrection Investigation Headquarters" led by Criminal Investigation Command Chief Park Jeong-hun (brigadier general) will continue the probe.
The Minister said, "We promise to do our utmost to the end so that the principle of reward and punishment can take firm root in our military regarding the unprecedented situation of the Dec. 3 insurrection," adding, "With today's announcement as a starting point, we will wash away the stigma tainted by illegal martial law and use this as an opportunity to rebuild 'the people's military.'"