The 2nd Independent Special Counsel Team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has cleared former Army Ground Operations Commander Ju Seong-un, who retired following allegations of involvement in the December 3 emergency martial law, of all charges.

The special counsel team, which is investigating remaining cases following the three major special counsels, announced today (July 29) that it recently decided not to indict former Commander Ju on charges of dereliction of duty.

Former Commander Ju had faced allegations that he condoned complicity in insurrection by failing to order Koo Sam-hwi, then-commander of the Army's 2nd Armored Brigade (Brigadier General), to return to his base while serving as the commander of the 1st Corps during the martial law period in 2024.

The Ministry of National Defense's "Task Force for Government Innovation and Respect for the Constitution" requested an investigation in February, stating that former Commander Ju had spoken on the phone with former Brigade Commander Koo, who was on pre-arranged leave and standing by after receiving orders for the "Martial Law 2nd Investigation Unit" tasked with investigating election fraud allegations.

Former Commander Ju maintained that he was unaware of the martial law declaration plan.

Former Commander Ju was promoted to general and assumed office as the Ground Operations Commander in the Lee Jae-myung administration's first military reshuffle in September of last year, but was suspended from his duties over the allegations and disciplined with a two-month suspension for violating the duty of sincerity.

Former Commander Ju was discharged on the 14th in accordance with regulations that automatically discharge generals who do not receive a posting for a certain period or longer.

(Photo: Yonhap News)