"Rebel XX, Get Lost"... Indiscriminate Criticism Even Toward Soldiers' Children Visiting Restaurants

Criticism Toward Children of Martial Law Troops... Political Circles Urge Restraint
Brigadier General Sanghyun Lee Appeals to "Remove the Stigma of Rebels"
Ruling and Opposition Parties Emphasize Ministry of National Defense's Role to Minimize Harm to Soldiers

In the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the National Assembly main building. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

It has been reported that the children of the martial law troops deployed during the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident' are receiving excessive criticism. In response, political circles and military officials have come together to urge restraint.

On the 10th, at an emergency inquiry of the National Defense Committee in the National Assembly, Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade of the Special Warfare Command, mentioned such cases of harm to the children of martial law troops. The brigade commander stated, “One of my subordinates went out to eat with his family, but a resident cursed his daughter, saying, ‘You children of rebels, get lost,’” and “the daughter was shocked and immediately returned home.”

He said, “The Special Warfare Command is a group that carries out missions entrusted by the state with a spirit of absolute obedience and loyalty. These warriors risk their lives to carry out the missions assigned by the state,” and appealed, “Please do not stigmatize them as rebels.” He added, “If we consider the Special Warfare Command soldiers deployed on the scene as victims of incompetent commanders, and hold their hands and encourage them, they will devote their lives to the missions entrusted by the state,” and “Their children and families will contribute to the development of the Republic of Korea.”

In the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the National Assembly main building. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties agreed that frontline soldiers who followed commanders’ orders should not suffer harm. Kim Byung-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, “Corps-level units stationed at the front lines at the time could also be legally implicated,” and appealed, “The Ministry of National Defense should actively step in to clearly distinguish the deployed troops to prevent unjust cases.” He added, “Since soldiers and junior officers acted according to orders, I will strive to ensure leniency for them.” Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party expressed concern, saying, “The vast majority of soldiers, including Special Warfare Command troops, are victims,” and “They are likely to suffer from trauma.” He urged, “The Ministry of National Defense should make full use of counselors dedicated to military life or prepare other special measures.”

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also comforted on Facebook on the 9th, saying, “You are not at fault.” Lee emphasized, “Most junior officers and soldiers were thoroughly exploited by the instigators of the rebellion, Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Yong-hyun, and some commanders,” and “Those who used soldiers who moved according to orders without knowing what operation it was to undermine the foundation of the constitution and democracy, the arrows aimed at the martial law troops should be directed at those who gave the orders.” He continued, “To the proud soldiers of the Republic of Korea, I want to bow to those who bowed their backs,” and said, “You are not at fault. Rather, thank you.”