The Defense Ministry has excluded Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kang Dong-gil from duty after uncovering evidence of his involvement in the 2024 martial law declaration.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Bin-na said on Friday during a press briefing that the ministry had identified suspicions related to the insurrection case and suspended Kang from duty as of Friday.

The spokesperson added that disciplinary procedures would follow, and personnel measures would be taken, depending on the outcome.

Kang was serving as head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s military support headquarters at the time martial law was declared on December 3, 2024, and was appointed Navy chief in September of last year after the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration.

The deputy chief of the Navy will serve as acting Navy chief following the move.