"Deployment Despite Subordinate's Objection After Martial Law Was Lifted... Preparation for Second Martial Law"
Minister of National Defense Kyu-baek Ahn stated that the claims about a military officer being referred for disciplinary action due to "deliberate slowdowns" during the December 3 Martial Law incident last year are "different from what has been reported."
During the Ministry of National Defense's work report on the 18th, President Lee Jaemyung asked about the circumstances, noting, "There are articles criticizing that some soldiers who were deployed during the insurrection hesitated to carry out orders, bought instant noodles to delay time, or engaged in a kind of deliberate slowdown, and that these individuals were referred to the disciplinary committee." Minister Ahn responded accordingly.
Previously, it was reported in the media that a colonel from the Defense Counterintelligence Command did not proceed to the designated site after receiving deployment orders during the proclamation of martial law, but instead spent time around Hangang Park, and that the Ministry of National Defense initiated disciplinary procedures regarding this matter.
Regarding this, Minister Ahn explained, "At 1:01 a.m. on December 4 last year, when the lifting of martial law was approved, a subordinate reportedly said, 'Colonel, the lifting of martial law has just been approved, so we should not deploy.' Nevertheless, the colonel insisted, 'Let's go, follow me,' and they went as far as Hangang Park."
He added, "Since this was after the National Assembly approved the lifting of martial law, they went to prepare for a second martial law."
He continued, "So, the claim about a deliberate slowdown is half correct and more than half incorrect," emphasizing, "We need to look at this more carefully."
Minister Ahn stressed that, given martial law had already been lifted and the deployment occurred despite a subordinate's objection, it is not appropriate to focus solely on the delay that followed.
Upon hearing this explanation, President Lee replied, "This is a new fact," and said, "Since this is something the public does not know, please make sure to explain it well later."
President Lee also emphasized the need to strengthen constitutional education for soldiers.
He stated, "During this insurrection, many soldiers suffered unintended harm. Given the nature of the military, it is difficult to judge whether an order is constitutional and legitimate, but they cannot avoid responsibility. Therefore, they need to be equipped with the ability to make such judgments."
He added, "Loyalty should be to the country, not to one's superior, and while it may appear as loyalty to a superior, soldiers sometimes confuse whether their loyalty should be to the president or to the nation and its people. Education on this should be especially systematic."
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