No More Immunity for Four-Star Generals: South Korea Revises Military Personnel Management Act

Even the military's top brass are no longer untouchable. On January 15, 2026, South Korea's National Assembly passed a critical revision to the Military Personnel Management Act. This legislative move finally allows for disciplinary action against four-star generals, including the JCS Chairman and the Army Chief of Staff, closing a long-standing legal loophole.

South Korea Military Personnel Management Act Revision 2026: Breaking the Chain of Rank

Under the previous law, a military disciplinary committee had to consist of at least three officers who held a higher rank than the person being disciplined. This created a paradox: since the JCS Chairman holds the highest possible rank in the South Korean military, there's no one senior enough to sit on their committee. Effectively, the top commanders were immune to internal punishment.

The revised act changes everything. It empowers the Defense Minister to form a committee of three or more generals to judge the JCS Chairman or Army Chief, even if those committee members are lower in rank or seniority. It's a massive shift toward institutional accountability over traditional military hierarchy.

The Legacy of the 2024 Martial Law Attempt

The push for reform gained traction after the late 2024 martial law bid by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. General Park An-su, then-Army Chief of Staff who served as the martial law commander, was discharged without any disciplinary measures because of the existing legal vacuum. Public outcry followed, demanding that high-ranking officers face the same scrutiny as their subordinates.

With Yoon recently receiving a five-year prison sentence for his role in the incident, the passage of this bill marks a significant step in Korea's efforts to ensure that military leaders are held responsible for actions that threaten democratic order.