2 military commanders dismissed for infiltrating parliament to arrest lawmakers during martial law

▲ This composite file photo shows Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun (L) and Rear Adm. Kim Dae-woo. (Yonhap)

military-martial law

2 military commanders dismissed for infiltrating parliament to arrest lawmakers during martial law

SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Yonhap) -- Two general-level military commanders were dismissed Friday in disciplinary action for infiltrating the National Assembly and attempting to arrest high-profile politicians during the short-lived martial law imposition in late 2024, military sources said.

The defense ministry handed down the disciplinary measure to Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun, former commander of the 1st Special Forces Brigade accused of leading troops to storm into the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting down the martial law decree, according to the sources.

The ministry also dismissed Rear Adm. Kim Dae-woo, former investigative chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, who is suspected of sending a team to arrest politicians during the martial law bid.

Both Lee and Kim are standing trial over their involvement in the martial law imposition.

In a statement, the ministry said it has imposed "heavy" disciplinary action against two general-level officers, without disclosing their names, ranks and the level of punishment.

The dismissal marks the latest in the military's ongoing action to punish personnel involved in the martial law imposition. Both former top commanders of the Defense Counterintelligence Command and the Army Special Warfare Command have also been sacked.

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