▲ This Aug. 26, 1996, file photo shows former Presidents Chun Doo-hwan (R) and Roh Tae-woo attending a trial at a Seoul court over their involvement in a 1979 military coup and crackdown on a democratic uprising in Gwangju the following year. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) military-ex-presidents

(LEAD) Photos of ex-presidents involved in 1979 coup removed from military

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details)

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- Photos of former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo who were deeply involved in a 1979 military coup have been removed from military units in accordance with a revised guideline on displaying photos of former commanders, according to the defense ministry Tuesday.

The move comes as the ministry handed down last month a guideline banning the display of photos of commanders who have been sentenced on charges such as insurrection and corruption following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in late 2024.

Currently, such photos can be displayed for the purpose of preserving historic records under a relevant directive. The ministry plans to officially update the directive within the first half to only allow the display of the rank, name and term of such commanders.

The Defense Counterintelligence Command, where both former Presidents Chun and Roh served as commanders, has already removed photos of all former commanders and plans to display only those approved by the ministry.

With the revision, the photos of senior military officials standing trial over allegations linked to Yoon's martial law bid, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, are expected to be removed once their charges are finalized.

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