Most of Those Involved in the December 3 Incident Are Korea Military Academy Graduates
Acting Minister Kim Previously Stated, "Unjust Orders Cannot Be Accepted"
Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho told cadets at the Korea Military Academy on the 27th, "Please always remember that when you become warriors internalizing the constitutional mission-based right loyalty, courage, and responsibility, you can truly be respected by your subordinates and become leaders trusted and loved by the people."
Acting Minister Kim attended the 81st graduation and commissioning ceremony held at the Korea Military Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon and said in his congratulatory speech, "I hope you grow into officers who correctly understand and practice the values of loyalty and courage, and leaders who confidently take responsibility for all outcomes."
First, Acting Minister Kim emphasized, "The fundamental reason for the existence of our military is clearly stipulated in the Constitution and laws. Please remember the constitutional mission of 'defending the nation, protecting the lives of the people, and upholding liberal democracy.' Loyalty for soldiers means 'loyalty to the nation and the people' as defined by the Constitution, and courage means 'choosing and acting rightly even in difficult situations.'
Acting Minister Kim also said, "A leader is one who ‘makes decisions,’ and ‘decisions’ must be accompanied by responsibility. Only leaders who take responsibility can directly and mentally communicate with their subordinates," adding, "Based on the mission-type command you have acquired over the past four years, make your own judgments and decisions, and demonstrate ‘responsible leadership’ by confidently taking responsibility for all outcomes."
He further stated, "The security situation on the Korean Peninsula and globally is more severe than ever. North Korea continues to accelerate the development of nuclear missiles, maintains its nuclear force policy, and constantly provokes," emphasizing, "In war, there is no alternative to ‘victory.’ You must be at the beginning and end of that victory and become soldiers who ‘only look at the enemy.’"
Acting Minister Kim’s remarks have drawn attention as they were addressed to Korea Military Academy cadets who will be commissioned for the first time since the December 3 emergency martial law incident. This is notable because active-duty military officers involved in the December 3 incident, such as Army Chief of Staff Park An-su (KMA Class 46), former Defense Counterintelligence Commanders Yeo In-hyung (KMA Class 48), Kwak Jong-geun (KMA Class 47), former Capital Defense Commanders Lee Jin-woo (KMA Class 48), former Intelligence Commanders Moon Sang-ho (KMA Class 50), key civilians including former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun (KMA Class 38), and former Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won (KMA Class 41), are all graduates of the Korea Military Academy.
Earlier, Acting Minister Kim appeared before the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session after the martial law incident and, when asked whether he would follow the orders of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was not yet impeached at the time, in the event of a local war or similar situation, he stated, "It is not a legitimate order for the commander-in-chief to attack when military conditions are not met," and added, "We will definitely not accept such orders."
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