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Senior generals sacked for allegedly plotting martial law at burger joint

Published: 13 Apr. 2026, 21:15

Brig. Gen. Koo Sam-hoe, left, former commander of the Army's 2nd Armored Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Bang Jeong-hwan, former head of the Defense Ministry's operational control transition task force. [YONHAP]

The former chief of an armored unit command was removed from office Monday over his involvement in the botched martial law bid in late 2024, military sources said.

Following a disciplinary committee meeting, the Ministry of National Defense imposed the measure, the strongest disciplinary action, against Brig. Gen. Koo Sam-hoe, former commander of the Army's 2nd Armored Brigade, according to the sources.

Alongside Koo, the ministry reportedly dismissed Brig. Gen. Bang Jeong-hwan, former head of the ministry's operational control transition task force.

Both Koo and Bang allegedly met with Noh Sang-won, a former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, at a fast food restaurant in Ansan, southwest of Seoul, to plan for martial law on the day of its declaration.

Without disclosing the level of punishment and the identity of those punished, the ministry said it has imposed "heavy" disciplinary action against officials, including general-level officers, in relation to the unlawful Dec. 3 martial law imposition.

Yonhap