Air Force General Caught Playing Smartphone Game During Martial Law Inquiry: Outrage Ensues
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During a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday regarding the martial law situation, an Air Force general was caught playing a smartphone game during a recess, drawing widespread criticism.
According to the National Assembly on Wednesday, approximately 50 military officials, including Vice Minister of Defense Kim Sun Ho, Army Chief of Staff Park An Su, and former Special Warfare Commander Gwak Jong Geun, attended the National Defense Committee session the previous day.
Around 7:40 p.m., during a recess after dinner, Major General Choi, Director of Overseas Intelligence at the Defense Intelligence Agency (Air Force Academy Class 39), was seen removing his military boots and playing a smartphone game while seated in the waiting area of the National Defense Committee. His actions were exposed on live television for approximately six minutes.
When a staff member in the inquiry room pointed to the camera and alerted him to the live broadcast, Major General Choi put down his smartphone, adjusted his posture, and briefly glanced toward the camera.
Later, Rep. Ahn Gyu Baek criticized Major General Choi for his actions during the session shortly before the inquiry concluded at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
Rep. Ahn stood Major General Choi up and asked, “Who was playing a smartphone game? Are you in your right mind?” Ahn added, “The country is in chaos with martial law declared for the first time in 45 years. The defense minister is under arrest, and the president is facing charges of sedition. Be mindful of your actions.”
Sung Il Jong, Chairman of the National Defense Committee (People Power Party), commented, “Although it was personal time during the recess, it was inappropriate behavior in a place visible to the public. Please take this criticism from Representative Ahn seriously.”
Vice Minister of Defense Kim Sun Ho stated, “We will thoroughly investigate the matter and hold those responsible accountable.”
The incident has sparked a wide range of reactions online. Some commented, “Isn’t it okay to play a game during personal time in a recess?” Others remarked, “It was careless, especially during a live broadcast,” and “The military must act appropriately, especially during times like this.”
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