Special Prosecutor's Investigation into Insurrection Underway
"Military Leadership Replacement Will Be Judged on Various Grounds"
Ruling and Opposition Parties Continue Debate Over South Korea-U.S. Combined Exercises
Defense Minister An Gyubaek has hinted at the possibility of replacing Chairman Kim Myungsoo of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is suspected of being involved in the Pyongyang drone operation.
Defense Minister An Gyubaek is attending the full meeting of the National Defense Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th. 2025.8.25 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
At the full meeting of the National Defense Committee held at the National Assembly on the 25th, Minister An responded to Baek Sunhee, a member of the Innovation Party for the Homeland, who pointed out, "There is a need for an early replacement of Chairman Kim Myungsoo of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," by saying, "I am also considering the prompt replacement of the military leadership."
Minister An continued, "Since the current military leadership is under investigation by a special prosecutor regarding the insurrection, I am limited in what I can say specifically, but this is an issue that must be judged based on various grounds for investigation," adding, "The personnel decision regarding the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be announced soon."
Chairman Kim, who holds the highest rank in the military, is suspected of having been involved in advance in the Pyongyang drone infiltration operation in October of last year. The special prosecutor reportedly found evidence that Chairman Kim had been briefed on the operation in advance and gave advice such as, "It would be good to include something like chocolate or candy." Recently, Chairman Kim appeared before the special prosecutor as a reference and was questioned.
At the meeting, the controversy over the possible postponement of the South Korea-U.S. combined exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield" (UFS) was also raised. When lawmakers from the People Power Party pressed, "Wasn't the exercise scaled down because of criticism from Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party?" Minister An replied, "It is nothing more or less than a coincidence," and explained, "Considering the heatwave and heavy rain, 22 out of 44 exercises proceeded as scheduled, and for the remaining 22, we agreed with the U.S. side to conduct them next month."
He also stated, "We completed all exercises with U.S. augmentation personnel, and only some small-scale exercises with U.S. Forces Korea on the Korean Peninsula were postponed," emphasizing, "Rather than concentrating combined exercises in a specific period, it is also necessary to conduct them evenly throughout the year." In addition, he announced that next year's regular South Korea-U.S. combined exercise "Freedom Shield" (FS) will also be held as scheduled.
Regarding the opposition's claim that the announcement of the North Korean military's violation of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) was deliberately omitted, Minister An said, "It is not something that can be broadcast live in real time," and added, "At that time, 7 out of 30 North Korean personnel crossed about 10 meters, and in the past, even warning shots would not have been fired in such a situation."
On the recent controversy over the mental education materials stating, "Violation of the alcohol restriction order is not insubordination," he explained, "It is not the finalized version but part of the process of gathering field opinions." He also mentioned the need to establish the position of the Second Vice Minister of National Defense.
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