Suspicion of Martial Law Drill... Troops on Standby in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Military authorities have additionally suspended senior officers suspected of involvement in the emergency martial law situation.
On the 26th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it had carried out separate dispatches to suspend two individuals from duty: Gu Samhoe, commander of the Army's 2nd Armored Brigade, and Bang Jeonghwan, head of the Ministry of National Defense's Operational Control Transition Task Force (both Army Brigadier Generals). The Ministry explained that considering the investigative conditions of the authorities, they were ordered to remain on standby at units located in the metropolitan area.
Commander Gu Samhoe of the 2nd Armored Brigade, Army (left), and Bang Jeonghwan, Head of the Defense Ministry's Operational Control Transfer Task Force. Photo by Yonhap News
Both are members of the so-called "2nd Lotteria Meeting" led by former Commander of the Armed Forces Intelligence Command, Noh Sangwon. On the 3rd, when the martial law was declared, they allegedly met with former Commander Noh and others at a Lotteria store in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to conspire the martial law. Gu, the brigade commander, is also suspected of attempting to mobilize tank units during the martial law. He was also named as the head of the "2nd Investigation Unit," which former Commander Noh tried to organize as a private or special task force.
Bang, the Task Force head, has recently been working on the Ministry of National Defense's Innovation Planning Officer duties, but it is reported that he had not received an official appointment.
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