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Why Colonel Cho Seong-hyun Refused Early Promotion: A Lesson in Honor

Daniel Kim Views  

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Colonel Cho Seong-hyun declined an early special promotion after it was considered

  Yonhap News
  Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung attends all-service senior commanders’ meeting(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-gyun = President Lee Jae-myung salutes the flag at the all-service senior commanders’ meeting held at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul on the 27th. 2026.3.27 xyz@yna.co.kr(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-gyun = President Lee Jae-myung salutes the flag at the all-service senior commanders’ meeting held at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul on the 27th. 2026.3.27 xyz@yna.co.kr

President Lee Jae-myung said Colonel Cho Seong-hyun, commander of the 1st Guard Regiment of the Capital Defense Command, had been considered for an early special promotion but declined it. Cho had ordered troops not to cross Seogang Bridge while carrying out a mission to control the National Assembly during the Dec. 3 emergency martial law period.

On the 27th, the president posted on social media that Cho was not yet due for promotion; while officials had reviewed an early special promotion, Cho told them he would not accept it because he was merely doing what any soldier serving the people should do.

The president added that, out of respect for Colonel Cho’s devotion to the public and the nation, he was not promoted, and asked the public for understanding. He urged people to support and remember Cho as a true soldier.

After presiding over today’s (27th) all-service senior commanders’ meeting, President Lee visited the command-and-control center, encouraged the staff, shook hands with Colonel Cho and said he had wanted to meet him in person, Blue House spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

#PresidentLee

Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23

Jang Bo-kyung (jangbo@yna.co.kr)

Daniel Kim
content@tenbizt.com

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