Defense Minister An Kyoo-baek Calls for Special Discipline Check Amid Operational Failures

In response to ongoing concerns about operational discipline in frontline units, the Ministry of National Defense has initiated a comprehensive review of military conduct.

According to a report by Yonhap News on August 3, Defense Minister An Kyoo-baek convened an urgent meeting of key military commanders at the Joint Chiefs of Staff operations command center, issuing directives for a special discipline check across the armed forces.

Minister An emphasized the seriousness of recent operational failures, instructing, "A joint special discipline inspection task force should be established under the leadership of the Defense Ministry's inspector general to focus on operational discipline and reporting systems across the military, including the First Army Corps, until the conclusion of the 'Ulsan Freedom Shield' (UFS) exercise."

He also stressed that the core of unit operations should be based on fundamental principles and realistic training, stating, "We must stand as a strong military that earns the trust of the people and instills fear in our enemies, remaining unyielding in the face of any threat."

This initiative follows recent incidents involving unarmed guard duty at frontline posts and a mistaken identification of U.S. drones, which have raised significant concerns. Prior to the meeting, military authorities decided to suspend Major General Han Gi-seong, commander of the First Army Corps, from duty pending an investigation.

Additionally, military leaders attending the meeting analyzed recent developments in North Korea and meticulously reviewed military readiness. They also agreed to assess disaster preparedness in light of ongoing extreme heat and adverse weather conditions, ensuring proactive measures to prevent casualties.