▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (R) speaks in a press briefing on Feb. 12, 2026, on the outcome of a probe into military personnel involved in the martial law imposition in late 2024. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) military-martial law

(LEAD) About 180 military personnel identified as involved in Yoon's martial law bid

(ATTN: ADDS details, byline; CHANGES photo)

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday the ministry has identified around 180 military personnel as having been involved in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law bid in late 2024 and plans to further investigate them and take necessary disciplinary action.

Ahn released the figure as he announced the outcome of a monthslong investigation by the ministry's task force into about 860 general-level and field-grade officers from 24 military commands and units alleged to have been involved in the martial law imposition in December 2024.

More than 100 personnel from the ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and different military branches took part in the probe aimed at determining the extent of their involvement, whether they had decision-making authority and what roles they played in the martial law bid, according to the ministry.

Overall, the probe found that some 1,600 personnel across the military affiliated with the Army, counterintelligence command, special operations command and Defense Intelligence Command were found to have been mobilized on the night of the martial law imposition.

More than half of them were dispatched to the National Assembly, while the remaining were sent to the National Election Commission.

In a fresh development, the ministry said it has also suspended Ground Operations Commander Gen. Joo Sung-un from duty and referred him for a probe over suspicions of involvement in the martial law imposition.

Joo, who served as the chief of the Army 1st Corps at the time of the martial law bid, was the commander of the then chief of the 2nd Armored Brigade allegedly involved in the imposition.

Ahn, who announced Joo's suspension during the press briefing, said he cannot elaborate on the allegations surrounding Joo at the current stage as a probe is under way.

Through the investigation, the ministry said it has confirmed circumstances over the Defense Intelligence Command plotting in advance to take over the state-run election watchdog, the defense counterintelligence command and the ministry's investigative headquarters seeking to detain key politicians.

A total of 35 people have so far been imposed with heavy disciplinary measures, the ministry said, in reference to a series of removals and dismissals of senior military officers. Of them, 29 have appealed against their cases.

Alongside disciplinary measures imposed by the ministry, three general-level and five colonel-level officers have been indicted over playing key roles in the botched martial law bid, it said.

"Following the announcement, we will firmly strive to rid the dishonor that has tainted the military and rebuild a military for the people," Ahn said.

The ministry said it plans to conduct follow-up probes into allegations involving the defense counterintelligence and intelligence commands that had been restricted due to their confidential roles.

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