Military Chiefs Excluded from President Lee's Oath of Office Ceremony Guest List

Did President Lee Signal Strong Military Reform?

It has been revealed that major military commanders, including the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, were excluded from the guest list for President Lee Jae Myung's oath of office ceremony. Some observers are interpreting this as a possible signal of strong military reforms to come.

President Lee Jae Myung is taking the oath of office for the 21st president at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

According to the military on June 4, major military commanders such as Kim Myung Soo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (General), Ko Chang Jun, Acting Chief of Staff of the Army (General), Yang Yong Mo, Chief of Naval Operations (General), and Lee Young Soo, Chief of Staff of the Air Force (General), did not attend President Lee's oath of office ceremony held that morning at the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.

Kim Sun Ho, Acting Minister of National Defense (Vice Minister), was the only representative from the military in attendance. In contrast, during the Moon Jae In administration, which also held an oath of office ceremony following an early presidential election, the Chiefs of Staff of each branch attended.

President Lee, who was elected in this early presidential election, held a simplified oath of office ceremony instead of a separate inauguration event. Approximately 300 people attended the oath of office ceremony, including the heads of the five branches of government, party leaders, members of the National Assembly, and cabinet ministers.

Some analysts suggest that this move reflects President Lee's strong commitment to military reform, particularly in relation to the '12·3 Martial Law'.

Meanwhile, in his inaugural address that day, President Lee stated, "An insurrection that seizes popular sovereignty with weapons entrusted by the people must never happen again," and added, "We will thoroughly uncover the truth, hold those responsible fully accountable, and establish firm measures to prevent any recurrence."