Seoul: The chief Marine investigator, Col. Park Jung-hun, who was reinstated after being acquitted of insubordination charges, has been promoted to brigadier general, the defense ministry announced. This promotion comes in light of a controversial probe into the death of a conscript, which occurred during a search for flood victims in July 2023.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Col. Park was acquitted in January of insubordination for revealing that senior officials from the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration had interfered in the initial investigation of the conscript's death. This acquittal has paved the way for his recent promotion amid a broader military leadership reshuffle.

In total, the defense ministry promoted 76 individuals, including Park, to the rank of one-star general officer. Additionally, 41 one-star generals were elevated to two-star general officer positions. This reshuffle represents an ongoing effort to restructure the military's leadership following former President Yoon's failed martial law attempt in 2024.

The recent promotions reflect a significant shift, with an increased portion of promoted officers not being graduates of the Korea Military Academy, marking the highest percentage in a decade. Furthermore, a record number of five women general officers were promoted, highlighting the ministry's efforts toward diversification.

In September, the ministry announced the promotion of seven four-star generals, marking the first major personnel changes under the Lee Jae Myung administration. Subsequently, in November, 20 military generals were promoted to three-star posts, representing the largest such promotion event in the last ten years.