▲ This photo shows Col. Kim Hyun-tae (C), who is accused of leading troops to storm into the National Assembly on the night martial law was imposed in December 2024, attending a hearing at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Feb. 6, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Army officers-removal

Ex-head of special forces unit removed from office over martial law involvement: sources

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- A former head of the Army's special warfare unit was removed from duty Thursday on charges of ordering troops to break into the National Assembly on the night of martial law in late 2024, according to military sources.

Col. Kim Hyun-tae, former head of the Army Special Warfare Command's 707th Special Mission Group, is among four senior Army officers who were removed from office, the toughest level of disciplinary action over their involvement in the marital law bid, according to the sources.

Of them, Kim is accused of leading troops to storm into the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting down the martial law decree.

The defense ministry said it has imposed "heavy" disciplinary action against the four who hold the rank of colonel, without disclosing their identities and the level of punishment.

The four officers are currently standing trial on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection related to the martial law decree.

The decision came as the defense ministry convened a disciplinary committee meeting last week against six officers, including the four.

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