[Comprehensive] Chief of Naval Operations Kang Donggil Tenders Resignation
by Yang Nakgyu
Published 04 Mar.2026 13:44(KST)
Updated 04 Mar.2026 14:00(KST)
Heavy Disciplinary Action Over Martial Law: "I Respect the Decision"
Possibility of a Special Appointment Before the Regular General Officer Reshuffle
Chief of Naval Operations Kang Donggil expressed his intention to resign on March 4. It is reported that Admiral Kang decided it would not be appropriate to continue serving as the Chief of Naval Operations after receiving a heavy disciplinary action related to martial law, and thus offered his resignation.
On March 4, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it had imposed a severe disciplinary action on Admiral Kang Donggil for "breaching the duty of fidelity in connection with the 12·3 Martial Law." The disciplinary measure is reportedly a one-month suspension.
At the time of the martial law, Admiral Kang served as the Director of the Military Support Headquarters at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On February 27, he was referred to the Ministry of National Defense's disciplinary committee on charges of instructing the Martial Law Division within the Joint Chiefs of Staff to support the establishment of the Martial Law Command after the declaration of martial law. It is reported that Admiral Kang largely acknowledged these allegations during the ministry's investigation.
After the disciplinary decision was announced, Admiral Kang stated in a press release distributed to the media, "I respect the results of the Ministry of National Defense's disciplinary action, and as of today, I have expressed my intention to resign." The Ministry of National Defense did not request a formal investigation of Admiral Kang, reportedly because he actively cooperated in providing statements and materials when requested.
Admiral Kang was appointed Chief of Naval Operations in September last year, after the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration. He was suspended from his duties on February 13, and the Vice Chief of Naval Operations has been acting as Chief in his stead.
The Ministry of National Defense plans to appoint a new Chief of Naval Operations as soon as possible. There is also a possibility that a "one-point appointment" will be made before the regular general officer personnel reshuffle scheduled for next month.
Meanwhile, it is extremely rare for a four-star general to receive disciplinary action and then announce his resignation. Former Army Chief of Staff Park Ansoo, who served as Martial Law Commander during the martial law period, retired without disciplinary proceedings because it was not possible to form a disciplinary committee of at least three senior officers. Other four-star generals who were previously embroiled in controversies, such as abuse of authority, also retired without being referred to a disciplinary committee.
In Admiral Kang's case, it was possible to convene a disciplinary committee because the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army Chief of Staff, and the Air Force Chief of Staff all outranked him. Military disciplinary committees are composed of at least three officers who are higher in rank or, if of the same rank, who were commissioned or promoted earlier. The Ministry of National Defense is pursuing an amendment to the Military Personnel Act that would allow four-star generals to face disciplinary committees even when there are not enough senior officers to constitute one. Under the revised act, if it is not possible to appoint at least three senior officers to the committee, the Minister of National Defense may exceptionally form a committee with at least three generals. The amended Military Personnel Act will take effect in the second half of this year.
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