Coast Guard dismisses ex-officer over coup attempt allegations

The South Korean Coast Guard announced on the 29th that it has dismissed a former planning and coordination officer, Ahn Sung-sik, over suspicions of involvement in a "December 3rd coup attempt." Additionally, a former head of the Coast Guard's security division, identified only as Superintendent Lee, received a three-month suspension.

These disciplinary actions follow an "Upholding the Constitution, Government Innovation Task Force" recommendation in February for disciplinary measures against 89 high-ranking officials in 10 institutions, including the Coast Guard. Ahn is accused of instructing staff to carry firearms and proposing the dispatch of investigation personnel to the martial law command during a video conference of Coast Guard commanders on December 3rd, 2024, when martial law was declared. He is currently under investigation for aiding and abetting rebellion.

The investigation also suspects Ahn's involvement in modifying the 2024 internal regulations of the Counter-Intelligence Command to ensure the Coast Guard would be automatically included in a joint investigation headquarters if martial law was declared. Ahn, an alumnus of the same high school as former President Yoon Suk-yeol, was the first from the Coast Guard to be dispatched to the presidential transition committee after Yoon's election. The investigation team searched Ahn's office, residence, and home in April and has since questioned several Coast Guard officials, including Superintendent Lee.