What did President Lee Jae Myung say about the military after the martial law episode involving Yoon Suk Yeol?

Lee said the military must work to restore public trust after the 2024 martial law imposition. He said the task had been created again by insurrection and that a few people had tarnished the honor of the whole military.

Who received ceremonial flags at Lee Jae Myung’s Friday ceremony?

Four military generals received ceremonial flags at the event. Among them were Gen. Lee Sang-ryeol, chief of the Army Ground Operations Command, and Lt. Gen. Park Heung-jae, chief of the Air Force Academy.

Why did Lee say restoring trust in the military would take a long time?

Lee said trust had been damaged by the military’s role in the martial law declaration under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. He told the generals to make efforts even though the process of restoring trust would be difficult.

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

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung called on military generals on Friday to help restore public trust in the military after its involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s 2024 martial law imposition. He made the remarks at a ceremony to present ceremonial flags to promoted generals. Lee said the task would take a long time and urged the officers to keep working to rebuild trust.

Key Facts

Lee said a few people had tarnished the honor of the entire military through the martial law declaration by ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung relayed that Lee said restoring public trust would not be easy.
Four military generals received ceremonial flags during Friday’s ceremony.
The generals included Gen. Lee Sang-ryeol, chief of the Army Ground Operations Command, and Lt. Gen. Park Heung-jae, chief of the Air Force Academy.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 7, 2026 3:33 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung, center, poses for a photo with military generals at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called on military generals to help restore public trust in the military, referring to its involvement in the 2024 imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Lee made the call during a ceremony to present ceremonial flags to promoted military generals, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

Lee said a long period of time was required to restore public trust in the military following the actions by past military regimes.

The president, in particular, said, "The task of restoring public trust was created again due to insurrection," calling on the generals to "make efforts although the process of restoring trust wouldn't be easy," according to Kang.

Referring to the military's involvement in the martial law declaration by ousted former President Yoon, Lee said a few people had tarnished the honor of the entire military. Still, restoring public trust is what the military must do, he also noted.

During Friday's ceremony, four military generals were presented with the ceremonial flags, including Gen. Lee Sang-ryeol, chief of the Army Ground Operations Command, and Lt. Gen. Park Heung-jae, chief of the Air Force Academy.

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