National Assembly Defense Committee Summons Over 50 Active-Duty Military Officers Including Generals
On the 10th, during an emergency inquiry at the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly regarding the 'martial law' incident, ruling and opposition parties reprimanded military personnel involved in the martial law.
Han Ki-ho, a three-star general and member of the People Power Party, said, "As a senior, I feel heartbroken and an indescribable sense of self-disgust," adding, "When I served in the military, I never thought martial law would be imposed, nor did I study it. You all have become the scapegoats."
Rep. Yoo Yong-won: “Thorough focus on primary duties”
Rep. Yoo Yong-won also stated, "Facing such an unprecedented situation, if any security gaps or negative issues arise, the public will become more anxious and disappointed in the military," urging, "Until the political situation is resolved, the military should maintain a high level of military readiness and fully focus on carrying out its primary duties."
Rep. Seong Il-jong: “Thorough investigation of military leadership”
Seong Il-jong, chairman of the National Defense Committee from the People Power Party, said, "Soldiers who only followed orders and were dispatched reportedly do not know where, why, or how they were deployed and are suffering from self-disgust," emphasizing, "The military leadership must conduct a thorough investigation. While it is true that some must be severely punished, innocent soldiers should not be harmed."
Rep. Ahn Kyu-baek: “Personnel puzzle for martial law”
Ahn Kyu-baek of the Democratic Party said, "Former Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik served for 10 months, and former Army Academy Superintendent Jeong Hyeong-gyun for 7 months. The commonality among these short-term officials is that they were replaced by the instigators of the rebellion," arguing, "I think the personnel changes were forced hastily to complete the puzzle for martial law."
Rep. Hwang Hee: “As if ordered by a corporal or sergeant”
Rep. Hwang Hee criticized Park An-su, former Army Chief of Staff and martial law commander, who responded to inquiries about the martial law situation by saying he received orders from former Minister Kim Yong-hyun, stating, "It sounds as if a private is taking orders from a corporal or sergeant. Isn't that embarrassing?" He added, "The President and Minister of National Defense are civilians. How can they say they acted under orders? Then what about the subordinates behind them?"
Rep. Boo Seung-chan: “Pointing guns at the people”
Rep. Boo Seung-chan referenced Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address phrase, "government of the people, by the people, for the people," saying, "Our military aims for civilian control, and nothing better represents that than this phrase, yet the military pointed guns at the people. Whether live rounds were loaded or not is irrelevant."
Meanwhile, Rep. Lim Jong-deuk of the People Power Party commented on an interview where Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun and Capital Defense Command Commander Lee Jin-woo appeared on Democratic Party member Kim Byung-joo's YouTube channel to explain the martial law operation and apologize, saying, "Many are now concerned whether the military discipline is properly maintained."
On this day, over 50 active-duty military personnel, including senior officers from the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and operational unit commanders, attended the National Defense Committee. It is highly unusual for commanders of operational units such as the Intelligence Command, Special Warfare Command, Cyber Operations Command, and Drone Operations Command to appear en masse at the National Assembly.
The military personnel attending the National Assembly could not hide their somber expressions. Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade under the Special Warfare Command, was even seen wiping tears with a handkerchief.
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