Seoul: The defense ministry has directed military personnel to uphold political neutrality and concentrate on their responsibilities as the June 3 presidential election approaches, officials announced Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the guideline, disseminated the previous day, prohibits military service members from participating in or affiliating with political groups, including parties, and from expressing support for or opposition to specific parties and candidates. The guideline also details voting dates for service members and forbids them from imposing their political views on fellow members or engaging in election campaigns.

A ministry official noted that similar instructions have been issued during previous election periods. The defense ministry emphasized the importance of political neutrality after some senior military officials were implicated in the brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

Earlier this month, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho instructed commanders to execute planned operations and training without interruption while maintaining political neutrality, following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office.