ISTANBUL

South Korea has suspended Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law in late 2024, Yonhap News reported Friday.

The Defense Ministry said Kang was removed from duty amid allegations linked to the insurrection case stemming from Yoon’s aborted martial law bid.

“The defense ministry excluded the chief of naval operations as of Friday as allegations in relation to the insurrection case have been identified,” ministry spokesman Chung Binna said.

According to the ministry, the Navy’s deputy chief will assume the post on an acting basis while disciplinary proceedings against Kang are reviewed. At the time martial law was declared, Kang was serving as chief of the Directorate of Military Support at the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Thursday’s decision followed a similar move against Ground Operations Commander Gen. Joo Sung-un over suspected involvement in the martial law attempt.

Both Kang and Joo were senior officers appointed during the administration of President Lee Jae Myung.

Authorities disclosed that a months-long investigation reviewed approximately 860 general-level and field-grade officers, identifying around 180 personnel suspected of involvement in the martial law effort.

The ministry further determined that nearly 1,600 troops from multiple units, including the Army, counterintelligence, special operations, and the Defense Intelligence Command, were mobilized on the night the order was issued.

On Thursday, a South Korean court sentenced former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to seven years in prison over his role in Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law.

Lee has become the second member of former President Yoon’s Cabinet to be convicted over the Dec. 3, 2024, emergency order, following last month’s sentencing of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in the ex-president’s short-lived bid.