Drone Inspection Results... Controversy Over 'Self-Audit and Self-Discipline' Again

Final Responsibility Lies with Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Receives 'Verbal Warning'

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Most of the disciplinary actions against soldiers who inadequately responded to North Korean drones are expected to be limited to verbal and written warnings. This essentially confirms concerns about a 'self-audit and self-discipline' becoming a reality.

Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the National Assembly audit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff held on the 6th at the Joint Chiefs of Staff building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and responded to questions from lawmakers. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

According to military officials on the 15th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Combat Readiness Inspection Office decided on disciplinary measures involving verbal and written warnings for about 10 officers, including generals and field-grade officers, holding them accountable for delays in situation reporting, operational orders, and failure to shoot down the drones, based on the inspection results of the military's response operations to North Korean drones.

According to the inspection results, written warnings were decided for Lieutenant General Kang Ho-pil, Commander of the 1st Corps; Lieutenant General Kim Gyu-ha, Commander of the Capital Defense Command; Lieutenant General Park Ha-sik, Commander of the Air Force Operations Command; General Jeon Dong-jin, Commander of the Ground Operations Command; Lieutenant General Kang Shin-cheol, Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Major General Won Cheon-hee, Chief of Intelligence at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In particular, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-gyeom was given a lighter verbal warning as the level of disciplinary action.

Within the military, despite numerous problems being identified in areas such as the operational execution system, measures during operations, utilization of existing forces, and air defense training, there has been a noticeable atmosphere of downplaying the disciplinary actions and punishments for those responsible.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-gyeom also stated at the National Defense Committee on the 6th of last month, "Based on the inspection results, the responsibility aspect will be reviewed more carefully, and necessary measures will be taken."

Some opinions suggest that if high-ranking generals were replaced, North Korea might exploit this to provoke additional forms of provocations to gauge reactions. However, it seems difficult to avoid criticism of 'self-audit and self-discipline' in the end.