Seoul: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the Army chief of staff could face disciplinary action under a revised law that permits the formation of a disciplinary committee with officers of lower rank than them, as announced by the defense ministry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Assembly approved the revision to the Military Personnel Management Act on Thursday. This amendment enables the defense minister to establish a disciplinary committee consisting of more than three generals when there is a necessity to discipline the JCS chairman and the Army chief of staff. Previously, a military disciplinary committee required members who held a higher rank than those subject to punishment, or in cases of the same rank, officers who were commissioned or promoted sooner.

Currently, the JCS chairman and the Army chief cannot be disciplined as they outrank other four-star generals, such as the chiefs of the Navy and Air Force. The revision was prompted by the case of former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was discharged from the military without facing disciplinary measures despite serving as the main commander during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt in late 2024.