The Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday it has imposed severe disciplinary measures on four general and field-grade officers indicted for their alleged involvement in the "December 3 Emergency Martial Law," citing violations of the duty to comply with laws and regulations and the duty of diligence.
The severe disciplinary measures included dismissal (pamyeon) for three officers who deployed troops to the National Assembly at the time: Brig. Gen. Kim Jung-geun, former commander of the 3rd Special Forces Airborne Brigade; Brig. Gen.-designate Ahn Moo-sung, former commander of the 9th Special Forces Airborne Brigade; and Col. Kim Se-woon, former commander of the Special Operations Aviation Group, who transported troops to the National Assembly.
In addition, Col. Kim Sang-yong, former deputy director of the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, who allegedly participated in organizing arrest teams targeting politicians and other key figures, was dismissed (haeim), according to sources.
Earlier, the Ministry of National Defense Special Investigation Headquarters indicted a total of eight officers, including these four, on charges including engaging in important duties related to insurrection and abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights.
Among the eight, three officers whose disciplinary committee hearings were held first — Brig. Gen. Ku Sam-hoe, former commander of the Army's 2nd Armored Brigade; Brig. Gen. Chung Sung-woo, former head of the 1st Department at the Defense Counterintelligence Command; and Col. Kim Chang-hak, former commander of the Capital Defense Command's Military Police Group — received pamyeon dismissal, while Bang Jung-hwan, former director of the Defense Innovation Planning Office, received haeim dismissal.
