Defense ministry to reward soldiers who defied 'unjust' orders during martial law bid

The defense ministry said Friday it plans to reward soldiers who rejected "unjust" orders during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in a move seen as efforts to boost military morale. But the decision also raises questions over the appropriateness of its timing as a special counsel team is looking into the botched martial law imposition. The military has come under scrutiny since troops were deployed to the National Assembly on Dec. 3 to allegedly block lawmakers from attempting to lift Yoon's brief imposition of martial law, with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun standing trial over allegations he played a key role in conspiring to commit insurrection. "The inspection bureau has launched a process to verify troops who are believed to have defied illegal or unjust orders during the Dec. 3 martial law imposition," a ministry official told reporters, adding the aim is to identify soldiers who contributed to protecting the safety and lives of the public. "Rewards or encouragements for such personnel could subsequently follow," the official said, adding the process mWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times