Ahn Convenes Military Commanders’ Meeting on 12·3 Anniversary... ‘Personnel Overhaul’ Expected to Follow

One year has passed since the 12·3 Martial Law, and the South Korean military is set to hold a major commanders’ meeting. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek stated, “The foundation for 12·3 lay in the lack of reflection and the tendency for compromise amid the scars of our modern history, such as the 5·16 military coup,” adding, “Our military will break away from complacency.” It is expected that a drive for “reform” and “personnel overhaul” will follow in order to rebuild the “people’s military.”

Yonhap News Agency

According to the Ministry of National Defense on December 3, Minister Ahn will convene a major commanders’ meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, in the afternoon, with over 150 key personnel in attendance. The agenda includes ▲ rebuilding the people’s military by upholding constitutional values ▲ restructuring the military for 2040 ▲ the transfer of wartime operational control ▲ and improving the treatment and welfare of officers.

In particular, reform and personnel overhaul for rebuilding the “people’s military” are expected to be discussed. In a statement marking the first anniversary of 12·3 posted on social media the previous day, Minister Ahn said, “Just as you cannot write the next sentence without putting a period, it is impossible to restore the military’s honor without confronting repeated mistakes.”

The Ministry of National Defense’s personnel reform efforts are expected to continue. Disciplinary action for those who boarded the “martial law bus” also remains pending. Through an internal investigation led by the Inspector General’s Office since August, the Ministry had previously issued a light disciplinary action of “confinement to quarters” to former Army Judge Advocate General Kim Sanghwan, who boarded the martial law bus. However, after Prime Minister Kim Minseok canceled the disciplinary action, it was upgraded to a heavier punishment of “demotion” (from brigadier general to colonel).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.