Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: "December 3 Illegal Martial Law Was Clearly Rebellion... I Apologize to the People"

On October 14, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jin Youngseung stated, "I believe that our military's actions on December 3 last year-when soldiers, despite wearing military uniforms, neglected their duty to protect the nation and its people, and instead conspired in advance and actively participated in the illegal emergency martial law-clearly constitute an act of rebellion. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I sincerely apologize to the people."

In his opening remarks at the National Assembly National Defense Committee's audit held at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of October 14, Chairman Jin said, "From now on, our military will focus solely on fulfilling its fundamental mission of national defense and protecting the people. All members will unite as one to uphold constitutional values, and I promise that we will be reborn as 'the people's military.'"

Yonhap News Agency

Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Chairman Jin first noted, "While conflicts around the world are amplifying security anxieties, North Korea is advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities. At last week's military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, North Korea showcased the development of key weapon systems such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic glide missiles, as well as the modernization of its military power. Furthermore, by strengthening strategic ties with China and Russia, North Korea is posing a serious threat not only to peace on the Korean Peninsula but also to global peace."

He continued, "The Joint Chiefs of Staff are doing their utmost to establish a proactive military readiness posture capable of immediately responding to all threats, while concentrating all our capabilities to transform into a 'smart, elite, and strong military' that will surely win on future battlefields. Above all, we will strive to become a military trusted by the people."

Chairman Jin added, "Our military will maintain 'political neutrality' and focus solely on its fundamental mission with the people as our only priority. By restoring the military's honor and public trust, we will lay the foundation for building a strong military. With unwavering determination and sharp insight, we will maintain a posture that ensures the protection of the nation and its people under any circumstances, and if provoked, we will fight and win without fail."

Chairman Jin also stated, "To build a military that is prepared for the future, we will establish the foundation for independent national defense by linking defense reform with advanced science and technology-based integrated operations capabilities. By rapidly establishing core military capabilities led by the Korean military, we will pursue a systematic and stable transfer of wartime operational control."