Former Commander of the 707th Special Mission Group, Kim Hyun-tae. [Photo = Yonhap News]

The 'Statement Regarding Dismissal from the Ministry of National Defense' by former 707th Special Mission Group Commander Kim Hyun-tae is currently a hot topic on social media. 

Kim Hyun-tae, former commander of the 707th unit, who was tasked with the mission to seal off the National Assembly under the orders of former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun during the martial law declaration of December 12-3, released his statement after being dismissed on the 29th. 

Dismissal is a severe disciplinary action that immediately strips one of their military status, restricts public service employment for five years, and reduces retirement benefits (military pension) by 50%.

In his statement, Commander Kim expressed, "This was a superficial disciplinary review held during the trial, with its outcome predetermined." He lamented, "It is truly regrettable that even generals of the Republic of Korea cannot speak out against wrongful actions, even when aware of illegal and unjust orders, and have been reduced to tools of politics."

Furthermore, regarding the dismissal for following superior orders, he raised his voice, stating, "Now, all soldiers must become prosecutors and judges themselves. If they do not judge for themselves whether something is illegal or not, they will become criminals, thus they will come to doubt all orders from commanders and higher units." 

At the end of his statement, Commander Kim vowed, "Until now, as a soldier, I had limitations in fighting fake news. However, from now on, I will fight more actively against falsehoods." He added, "I will do my best to inform the public of the truth, so that Ahn Gwi-ryeong's attempt to seize firearms is not glorified as Joan of Arc. I will stand firmly against lies and political soldiers until the military regains its honor and the public's trust is restored."

He continued, "Patriotic citizens, and genuine YouTubers and journalists who are informing the truth, please help us," expressing his trust in YouTubers and a minority of conscientious journalists.

The following is the full text of Kim Hyun-tae, former commander of the 707th Special Mission Group's 'Statement Regarding Dismissal from the Ministry of National Defense'. 

This is Kim Hyun-tae, Commander of the 707th Special Mission Group.

I received notice of my dismissal today.

I will fight with dignity until the end, believing that lies cannot overcome truth.

This is my statement regarding my dismissal.

Please read it and offer your support.

To the citizens of the Republic of Korea!

And to the proud soldiers of the Republic of Korea!

Yesterday, I was notified of my dismissal by the Ministry of National Defense and have been dishonorably discharged.

It was a shameful disciplinary process that ignored the truth and predetermined the outcome.

I am currently on trial, and I have refuted most of the fabricated charges in the indictment. It is only natural that I cannot be disciplined for matters under trial, and that disciplinary proceedings should only occur after the trial if necessary.

Despite this, I witnessed the tragic spectacle of a Lieutenant General of the Air Force and a Major General of the Army presiding over a superficial disciplinary review with a predetermined outcome.

Disappointed by the Superficial Disciplinary Review with a Predetermined Outcome

Prior to the disciplinary review, I had my 3rd trial on January 20th, and my 4th trial was scheduled for January 27th at the Central Military Court. However, on January 23rd, while en route to the Ministry of National Defense for the disciplinary review, I was informed that the military court trial on January 27th had been canceled and I had received an order to transfer the case to the Seoul Central District Court.

On that day, the military court began the transfer process before the disciplinary review results were even known, despite the fact that disciplinary reviews for six individuals indicted without detention were underway at the Ministry of National Defense, with a predetermined outcome.

The media reported this transfer as a request from the special prosecutor, but I do not believe it.

It is regrettable. It is truly lamentable that even generals of the Republic of Korea cannot speak out against wrongful actions, even when aware of illegal and unjust orders, and have been reduced to tools of politics. Now, who can we trust, and how can our military move forward!

To the citizens of the Republic of Korea! And to the proud soldiers!

Over the past year, I have been investigated seven times by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, police, prosecution, military prosecution, and the special prosecutor. I have appeared before the National Defense Committee and the Special Committee on State Affairs multiple times, and served as a witness at the Constitutional Court and in trials involving the President and ministers.

Furthermore, I have been subjected to numerous lawsuits and complaints from various entities. My daily routine has become checking the media and YouTube. Although it is late, I have finally come to know the truth.

Most of the soldiers, including myself, who were mobilized during the martial law on that day, had no prior knowledge of any conspiracy or the declaration of martial law.

We were simply acting under lawful orders because we were in our respective positions at that specific time.

“Arrest and drag out the National Assembly members?” No such orders were given.

When we arrived at the scene and realized that it was not a 'terrorist act or threat akin to terrorism,' but rather National Assembly officials and ordinary citizens, each member of my unit acted morally and performed their duty. Despite being subjected to assault, verbal abuse, and profanity, we prioritized the protection of citizens and confined our actions to the mission of sealing off the building. We immediately withdrew when the 'Resolution to Lift Martial Law' was passed.

Of course, the citizens at the scene, unaware of the preceding events, must have been very frightened and scared. And many citizens watching the scene through the media must have been worried and distressed.

As the commander who led the unit to the scene that day, I once again bow my head and offer my apologies to the citizens.

On December 9, 2024, I held a press conference in front of the War Memorial of Korea.

In a situation where my suspension from duty was imminent, I could not abandon my subordinates who were trembling with fear. I simply wanted to apologize to the public and save my subordinates. That was all.

That day, I was bombarded with unexpected questions. My memory of the deployment, the facts I learned upon returning, and the information reported by the media were mixed, leading me to give some incorrect answers.

During the prosecution's investigation, I explained and clarified each point based on the truth.

I did not conspire in advance. At the scene, I did not receive orders to 'arrest and drag out National Assembly members.' I did not know where the plenary session hall was, nor did I have any intention of going there. I also did not know that National Assembly members were gathering at the time, or if there was a law called the 'Resolution to Lift Martial Law.'

However, I am continuously attacked with the narrative that 'Did you not conspire in advance and deploy to the National Assembly?' 'Did you not break the windows to drag out the National Assembly members into the plenary session hall?' 'Did you not carry cable ties to restrain and arrest National Assembly members?'

And I am currently refuting and explaining the truth of the tense 79 minutes from arriving at the National Assembly until the withdrawal order was issued on December 4, 2024, at 01:08, by comparing call records and witness testimonies one by one.

Became a Target of the Democratic Party... Indicted with a Fabricated Indictment

I was not interested in politics, and I am still not interested.

I do not trust the Democratic Party or the People Power Party.

I have fought alone against fake news solely to protect my unit and its members, and the Ministry of National Defense has turned a blind eye. Subsequently, I resolved to fight against falsehoods with a desperate mindset.

And then, at the Constitutional Court, I mentioned fake news and met with Chairman Sung Il-jong, and simply explained the actions of lawmakers Park Beom-kye and Bu Seung-chan in Room 333 of the National Assembly on December 10, 2024. After that day, I became a target of the media and the Democratic Party, and was indicted and brought to trial with a fabricated indictment.

Over the past year, I have witnessed the military being mobilized and sacrificed in the conflict between the powerful legislative and executive branches. I am now seeing the military being sacrificed and crumbling again in political trials. It is regrettable.

I, who used to tell my parents, who trusted YouTube more than legacy media, 'That's fake news, don't believe it too much,' am now opening my eyes to the truth.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea has collapsed, and most of the media has already become left-leaning.

Prosecutors and judges have also become tools of politics, and even the military I love is being politicized and crumbling due to political soldiers. It is regrettable.

On January 3rd of this year, US President Trump forcibly arrested Venezuelan President Maduro using military forces.

At that time, not only the Army, Navy, and Air Force, but also Cyber Command and Space Force, along with the CIA, mobilized all their capabilities. Delta Force, which played a key role, reportedly prepared for the operation for six months.

Even in the United States, there is reportedly a fierce political struggle with arguments that 'arresting a country's president, who has immunity from arrest, is illegal.'

However, no one blames the soldiers mobilized for the arrest operation.

The conviction that the state protects soldiers is shattered.

Although countless soldiers prepared for the operation for six months, the operational security was thoroughly maintained, and no one leaked information. This is likely due to the firm belief and trust that the state would protect the military.

For soldiers who have lived their lives considering their military uniform their shroud, dedicating themselves to protecting the lives of the nation and its people, the belief that 'the state will surely protect them' is an absolutely necessary and most important element.

However, I have now witnessed it firsthand.

Unfortunately, our military is now becoming a military that cannot fight and win.

The top brass of the Ministry of National Defense, under their orders, declared to their subordinates who were deployed, "You have committed rebellion," forcibly placed them on leave, and then carried out an illegal disciplinary action, resulting in the worst dishonorable discharge: dismissal.

Now, all soldiers must become prosecutors and judges themselves. If they do not judge for themselves whether something is illegal or not, they will become criminals, thus they will come to doubt all orders from commanders and higher units.

If soldiers who fought with their lives on the line in war are punished with 'attempted murder or murder' because civilians were injured or killed, who would dare to fight!

If the trust between superiors and subordinates collapses, and the honor and morale of the military disappear, it will simply degenerate into a violent group operating by rank.

It is regrettable. Medals were awarded, promotions were staged, and false heroes were created, leading to the division and conflict within the military.

The West Sea is being ceded, the MDL is being reinterpreted to give away our land, and the forward units are being disarmed with batons. North Korea is not an enemy, but rather another sovereign state, and joint military exercises are deemed unnecessary.

These are acts that undermine the ROK-US alliance, which is the core of the Republic of Korea's security.

Things that should never happen are occurring, and the military leadership that is condoning and colluding with this will become sinners in history.

Even gangsters have loyalty... The military leadership sold out their subordinates.

Do not blame the politicians. You are acting with full knowledge. You are simply corrupt political soldiers who only think of your own safety.

During the martial law, you who assisted the minister in the Joint Chiefs of Staff operations command and directed the entire military should have taken responsibility as military leadership, stating that the deployed subordinates were not at fault.

Instead of abandoning your conscience, selling out your subordinates, and dismantling the military to escape the frame of 'complicity or negligence in rebellion,' you should have taken responsibility.

Even gangsters have their own sense of loyalty, but the actions of the Ministry of National Defense and the military leadership, who discard their subordinates with such shamelessness, devoid of any pity or compassion, stir up my anger.

Citizens of the Republic of Korea!

The true heroes who prevented bloodshed at the National Assembly that day were the members of the 707th Special Mission Group.

I stated that 'the use of tasers and blanks was impossible,' and when asked, 'If the number of personnel entering the plenary session hall exceeds 150, can't we not go in?', I replied, 'We cannot push any further and enter.'

This is the truth of that day. Nevertheless, threats and enticements continued.

Should I have lied, saying, 'I was also ordered to break down the door of the plenary session hall and arrest and drag out the National Assembly members. And it was said to be an order from the President. However, knowing it was illegal, I defied the order and prevented bloodshed,' to receive a medal, be promoted, and become a fake general!

This is truly like trying to cover the sky with one's palm.

Ahn Gwi-ryeong, who attempted to seize firearms, being called Joan of Arc

Citizens of the Republic of Korea! I will proceed with dignity, speaking only the truth until the end. Please offer your support so that I do not lose courage. And please protect our military, which I and you all love.

Most soldiers are proud sons and daughters of the Republic of Korea who live their lives doing their best in their respective positions. Please protect the honor of the military so that they do not become disheartened. From now on, only you, the citizens, can protect the military of the Republic of Korea.

Proud soldiers!

Do not lose courage. Someday, the citizens will prove how honorable and proud your sacrifices and efforts were. Please continue to protect the territory and people of our beloved Republic of Korea with the same pride and dignity as you do now in your respective positions.

I respect you. Thank you. Until now, as a soldier, I had limitations in fighting fake news. However, from now on, I will fight more actively against falsehoods.

I will do my best to inform the public of the truth, so that Ahn Gwi-ryeong's attempt to seize firearms is not glorified as Joan of Arc. I will stand firmly against lies and political soldiers until the military regains its honor and the public's trust is restored.

Patriotic citizens, and genuine YouTubers and journalists who are informing the truth, please help us.

Thank you.

Kim Hyun-tae, Former Commander of the 707th Special Mission Group