During an emergency inquiry at the National Assembly Defense Committee opened due to the Dec. 3 martial law situation, a soldier was reproached by lawmakers for playing a smartphone game during a break. However, some argue that this may be understood as the Air Force is relatively less involved in the current martial law situation.
At the National Assembly Defense Committee full meeting on the 10th, Army Chief of Staff Park An-su, Capital Defense Command Commander Lee Jin-woo, and Special Warfare Command Commander Gwak Jong-geun, among other generals and field-grade officers, were present. Queries were made about the deployment of martial law troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission on the day martial law was declared.
During an extended inquiry session late into the evening, the meeting was briefly adjourned for dinner. Around 7:40 p.m. when the session was adjourned, Choi, the commander of the Overseas Intelligence Division of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Major General, 39th class of the Air Force Academy), entered the conference room. Commander Choi sat down, took off military boots, crossed one leg over the other, and played a game on a cellphone for about five minutes. This scene was broadcast live on the National Assembly Broadcasting YouTube channel.
Subsequently, someone approached Commander Choi, and he hurriedly ended the game. It is presumed he was informed of the live broadcast.
When the meeting resumed at 9 p.m., Ahn Gyu-baek, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker and former chairperson of the National Assembly Defense Committee, criticized Commander Choi, saying, 'The country is in chaos with the first martial law in 45 years. Are you in your right mind?' This was a strong rebuke concerning discipline.
Defense Committee Chairperson Sung Il-jong, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, stated, 'It was recess and personal time,' but added, 'Since it is a place where citizens are watching, as Representative Ahn pointed out, I hope you keep that in mind in the future.'
In response, Kim Sun-ho, Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense, replied, 'I will ascertain the facts and hold accountable.'