The Army announced that as of the 8th, it has suspended the duties of the commander of the 1st Infantry Division who is responsible for the front line in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
According to the Army, the division commander was not at the operational command site because he was at a drinking party with his staff on the evening of the 1st when North Korea had sent down trash balloons to South Korea.
As the Ground Operations Command, a superior unit, received a report on the issue and carried out an inspection, the division commander was away from his duties. The Army stated that they would proceed with personnel measures and disciplinary procedures based on the results of the inspection.
The Army emphasized, “Regardless of the reason, a key commander of a frontline unit having a drinking party with key officials in a serious security situation is considered negligence of the commander’s most important duty – maintaining a military readiness posture,” adding, “Immediate action was necessary.” They also stated, “Although there were no major issues with the operation, it was deemed inappropriate to maintain the position due to the inappropriate behavior that undermines public trust”
The Joint Chiefs of Staff had already instructed all units to strengthen their readiness on the 31st of last month, the day before the division commander’s drinking party and the North Korean balloon launch, predicting that “Northerly winds are forecasted from June 1st, so the trash balloons may be launched towards the South.”