Four Ex-military Commanders Placed On Compulsory Leave Over Alleged Roles In Martial Law

SEOUL, Feb 6 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korea’s defence ministry on Thursday placed four of their former senior military commanders on compulsory leave of absence following their indictment over their alleged roles in the short-lived imposition of martial law, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, former chief of the Defence Counterintelligence Command, Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, former head of the Capital Defence Command, Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, who formerly led the Army Special Warfare Command, and Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, former chief of the Defence Intelligence Command, was placed on leave as of Thursday, according to the ministry.

Previously, prosecutors indicted the four generals with physical detention, accusing them of engaging in major insurrection activities during President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid on Dec 3.

The ministry's latest decision excludes them from duties but still retains them as servicemen, despite the automatic discharge of generals dismissed from their posts, as in the case of the four accused. It is seen as an attempt to leave room for taking military disciplinary action against them if they are found guilty.

Meanwhile, the ministry is currently conducting a legal review of possible measures against Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who served as martial law commander.

Park, who was also suspended from his duties, has also been indicted under detention for his alleged role in martial law operations.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP