Lee calls on generals to help restore public trust in military after martial law imposition

Seoul, on August 7 (Yonhap) - President Lee Jae Myung urged military generals to aid in restoring public faith in the military following its role in imposing martial law under the previous administration. He made this statement at a ceremony where he awarded ceremonial flags to military generals, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung.

Lee acknowledged that a considerable amount of time would be needed to rebuild trust in the military after the actions taken by past military governments. He stated, "The task of restoring public trust was created again due to insurrection," urging the generals to strive, albeit acknowledging that the trust restoration process would not be simple, as reported by Kang.

Referring to the military's involvement in the martial law declaration by the ousted former President Yoon, Lee emphasized that just a few individuals had marred the reputation of the entire military. Nonetheless, he reiterated the necessity for the military to restore public trust. At the ceremony on Friday, four military generals were honored with ceremonial flags, including Gen. Lee Sang-ryeol, head of the Army Ground Operations Command, and Lt. Gen. Park Heung-jae, director of the Air Force Academy.