President Lee Jae-myung said on the 5th, "How many military coups have there been in Korea so far? Graduates of the Korea Military Academy did it, but has anyone ever been held accountable for that?"
At a Ministry of National Defense briefing he chaired at the Blue House that day, the president, referring to the integrated military academy for the Army, Navy and Air Force, stated accordingly, "The center that carried out no fewer than three coups was the Army Academy, yet it has never been held to account."
He added, "For a very long time, a particular branch has overwhelmingly dominated the military, and after occasionally staging coups, tearing the country apart, they bear no responsibility—can that be acceptable?" and said, "If we integrate, this possibility will be reduced somewhat."
The president also said, "It could happen again. Who imagined someone would stage another coup (the Dec. 3 martial law)?" and added, "It is not something to gloss over just because it is in the past and was suppressed. Had it succeeded, Army captains would have monitored everything like in the old days."
He continued, "Most service members are loyal to the nation and fulfill their calling, but a few commit unforgivable acts," and said, "Shouldn't we eliminate such potential?"