Three More Army Units Conducted Guard Duty with Batons Instead of Firearms

Three additional South Korean Army units under the 3rd Corps conducted security operations carrying expandable batons instead of firearms, following Joint Chiefs of Staff guidelines issued in December last year, according to documents obtained by a lawmaker.

The revelation comes after the 21st Division in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, sparked controversy in January by ordering guard post personnel to carry batons instead of guns—a directive that was later withdrawn.

According to documents titled "Process of Changing Security Operation Guidelines for Forward Units" submitted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Rep. Kang Sun-young of the People Power Party on the National Assembly Defense Committee, the 22nd Division, 23rd Security Brigade, and 3rd Artillery Brigade—all under the same 3rd Corps as the 21st Division—had actually been conducting guard post security operations with batons instead of firearms from mid-December through January 4.

The Joint Chiefs had issued revised "Security Operation Guidelines" on November 28 last year after reviewing recommendations from Army Headquarters.

A more significant problem emerged: when the Joint Chiefs launched an investigation following media criticism of the 21st Division's baton policy, they completely failed to identify that the three other units had already begun security operations under the revised guidelines.

The Army Ground Operations Command and 3rd Corps also failed to properly assess the situation, reporting inaccurate information to the Joint Chiefs. Critics point to this as evidence of serious deficiencies in the security operations reporting system. The Joint Chiefs command and supervise security operations for all active military units.

The guideline changes began on September 24 last year when Army Headquarters proposed to the Joint Chiefs "utilizing alternative equipment such as expandable batons, tasers, and gas guns for rear-area regional defense divisions and training units, excluding forward standing divisions."

On November 28, the Joint Chiefs issued revised guidelines specifying "areas south of the Civilian Control Line," stating that "alternative equipment may be used with approval from general-grade commanders." The Army Ground Operations Command subsequently instructed that "units at brigade level and below south of the Civilian Control Line should operate alternative equipment." The 3rd Corps, the superior command of the controversial 21st Division, directed subordinate divisions to "implement from January 1, 2026."

JCS: "Communication was insufficient during verification with subordinate units"

The Joint Chiefs stated, "Due to insufficient communication during the process of assessing subordinate units after the controversy, inaccurate information was transmitted and compiled," adding, "There was absolutely no intention to file false reports or cover up."

However, the controversy spread to the Ministry of National Defense. Criticism emerged that Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek had provided inaccurate reports to the National Assembly.

At the time, the Joint Chiefs hastily explained that the 21st Division baton controversy was about "providing flexibility by changing guidelines to partially implement in urban areas and educational institutions." The Joint Chiefs compiled inaccurate information and reported it directly to the Ministry of National Defense.

Consequently, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek responded at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on January 7 regarding the baton controversy, stating, "It appears the 21st Division acted preemptively, unrelated to Joint Chiefs directives," "This is not being considered at all for border areas and coastal regions," and "It has been piloted in some areas under the 2nd Operations Command."

The National Assembly Defense Committee indicates that improving the Joint Chiefs' deficient reporting system is urgent.

The committee argues that because the Joint Chiefs—which commands and supervises security operations—failed to properly identify that other units under the 3rd Corps were conducting guard duty with batons instead of firearms, leading to the Defense Minister providing inaccurate reports to the National Assembly, there are serious problems with the reporting system that require swift preventive measures.

Following the controversy, the Joint Chiefs strengthened command approval authority from general-grade commanders to corps commander level. They also established terminology and concepts, defining alternative equipment as "non-lethal weapons for security operations." Additionally, they clarified that units permitted to carry non-lethal weapons during security operations are limited to military hospitals and training units.

A Joint Chiefs official said, "Currently, all forward units are conducting security operations on the principle of carrying firearms and ammunition," adding, "Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on fundamentals and principles to ensure the public has no cause for concern."

Rep. Kang Sun-young of the People Power Party stated, "The directive to 'carry batons instead of guns' is incomprehensible, but the bigger problem is that all superior commands are minimizing responsibility by calling it 'a communication problem limited to the 21st Division.'" She added, "With security concerns growing due to recent events such as the removal of THAAD by U.S. Forces Korea, our military must maintain an even firmer readiness posture so that the public does not feel anxious."