Navy chief penalized for role in Yoon's martial law

South Korea's Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil has been subjected to administrative action for his role in then-President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law in early December 2024.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, Kang was penalized for dereliction of duty. The ministry did not disclose the level of disciplinary action against Kang, but local reports have suggested that he was hit with a one-month suspension from duty.

Following the ministry's announcement, Kang offered to resign from the post, in light of the penalty he had received.

Kang was relieved from duty as chief of the Navy in mid-February after he was found to have cooperated with a request to establish the martial law headquarters. At the time of the brief martial law, Kang was serving as head of the Military Support Headquarters under the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Kang was appointed to serve as the chief of naval operations in the South Korean Navy in September, three months after President Lee Jae Myung took office.