The government has decided to request an investigation into 110 incumbent public officials who participated in the illegal martial law of December 3. It will also request disciplinary action from their respective agencies for 89 of them, while 82 have received cautions or warnings.
Two individuals who voluntarily reported their involvement in the rebellion have been granted immunity.
On February 12, 2026, Yun Changryeol, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination at the Prime Minister's Office, is announcing the findings of the Constitution-Respecting Government Innovation Task Force investigation related to the December 3 illegal martial law at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun
On the afternoon of the 12th, Yun Changryeol, Director of the Office for Government Coordination, held a briefing at Government Complex Seoul and announced the investigation results of the "Constitution-Respecting Government Innovation Task Force (TF)." Military personnel accounted for the largest number of disciplinary cases, with 48. They also made up the vast majority of those for whom investigations were requested, totaling 108.
In the case of the police, there were 16 cases of severe disciplinary action, 6 cases of minor disciplinary action, and 6 cautions or warnings. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there was 1 case of severe disciplinary action and 2 cases of minor disciplinary action, and investigations were requested for 2 of these officials. However, the Task Force did not disclose the total number of public officials who were subject to disciplinary measures or investigation requests. It appears that for some individuals, both disciplinary action and an investigation request were pursued simultaneously. Severe disciplinary action includes dismissal, removal from office, demotion, and suspension, while minor disciplinary action includes salary reduction and reprimand. Regarding the investigation requests, a Task Force official explained, "There are cases where employees, in order to defend themselves, refuse to give statements or allow verification of materials during audit or inspection procedures," adding, "Because their cooperation was insufficient, we had suspicions of participation in the rebellion but no way to confirm it, so we requested an investigation." The official further stated, "We also requested investigations in cases where, through audits and inspections, administrative responsibility had already been established, but there was a clear or substantial suspicion of criminal law violations, making it necessary to hold them criminally accountable as well."
According to the Task Force, most of those subject to disciplinary measures and investigation requests are believed to be high-ranking public officials. This is because the illegal martial law was carried out in a top-down manner under the orders of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who stood at the apex of state power. Director Yun said, "We have confirmed that the illegal martial law of December 3 was a 'rebellion from above' that was backed by an implementation plan aimed at mobilizing the entire machinery of government in a multidimensional way," and added, "Judgments and orders issued from the pinnacle of power were transmitted not only to the military and police, which possess armed force, but also to various agencies with relevant functions, creating a real risk that the constitutional order could be destroyed." He went on to say, "Although there were instances in which some public officials resisted the illegal martial law or, conversely, cooperated excessively, we found that the conduct of high-ranking public officials with decision-making authority amounted either to prioritizing the execution of unconstitutional and unlawful orders or to standing by as mere onlookers."
With the announcement of these investigation results by the Constitution-Respecting Government Innovation Task Force, the government-level review related to the rebellion has now been concluded. The government stated that, going forward, it will fundamentally review and improve institutions and administrative practices across the board to ensure that unconstitutional and unlawful judgments and orders are neither carried out nor condoned under any circumstances in which the constitutional order is threatened.
Director Yun said, "We will establish a responsible administrative system in which the government itself, in accordance with the Constitution, can make judgments and apply the brakes, so that the people will never again have to take risks to step forward in defense of the constitutional order." He added, "We will firmly instill throughout the public sector the principle that the ultimate standard public officials must follow is not the orders of their superiors, but the Constitution, the law, and the people," and continued, "Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to the people for stopping the illegal martial law of December 3."
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