South Korea’s Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Kang Dong-gil has been removed from duty over allegations of involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3, 2024 martial law declaration, the Defense Ministry said Friday.
According to the ministry, Kang is accused of having been involved in the formation of the martial law command structure at the time, when he was serving as head of the Military Support Headquarters under the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the martial law episode.
“The ministry plans to proceed with disciplinary procedures against Adm. Kang and will take personnel measures depending on the outcome,” a ministry official said.
The vice chief of naval operations will serve as acting Navy chief during his suspension, the ministry added.
The announcement came a day after the Defense Ministry said Thursday that it had identified around 180 personnel following an investigation into some 860 individuals allegedly involved in the Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
On the night martial law was declared, Kang — then a vice admiral — was serving as head of the military support department at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then led by Adm. Kim Myung-soo.
Kang was promoted to four-star admiral in September 2025 and assumed the Navy chief post at the same time under the Lee Jae Myung administration, which took office on June 4 that year.
Kang is the first Navy general to face disciplinary action over allegations linked to the Dec. 3 martial law episode.
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