Martial law troops try to enter the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Dec. 4 as aides attempt to block them with fire extinguishers following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. Newsis

Dozens of soldiers deployed to the National Assembly during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration have been classified as part of a "mental health risk group," raising concerns regarding post-traumatic stress and emotional distress.

This is the first time the military has conducted a mental health assessment on troops involved in such operations.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, which recently conducted psychological evaluations on all personnel dispatched during the incident, at least several dozen soldiers were identified as requiring special care due to their high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Many, however, are reluctant to seek counseling due to fears of having their identities revealed, being stigmatized as "martial law troops," or facing possible disciplinary consequences.

A defense ministry official said, "Although the survey found dozens of individuals in need of attention and management, none volunteered to seek counseling. They seem to be enduring the stress alone because they strongly fear being identified as participants in the martial law operation."

In response, the ministry has introduced a civilian psychological counseling program to ensure anonymous support for affected troops. The Employee Assistance Program, launched in 2020, allows soldiers to access private counseling services without involving military authorities or requiring personal identification.

The ministry revealed on Monday that approximately 1,500 soldiers were deployed during the martial law operation, most of whom were unaware of their specific mission or location until the last minute. Some soldiers are known to have received orders to forcibly remove lawmakers, causing significant psychological confusion and distress.

Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade, sheds tears while attending an emergency parliamentary inquiry on martial law at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Dec. 10. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon

The situation has been particularly severe for special forces units, whose pride and morale have been deeply affected.

During a parliamentary defense committee hearing on Dec. 10, Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade, was seen shedding tears, while Col. Kim Hyun-tae, commander of the 707th Special Mission Group, broke down during a press conference, describing the emotional toll on his troops.

A defense ministry official emphasized the need for caution, saying, "PTSD and trauma often manifest over time, so we are approaching this very carefully. Soldiers in the at-risk group seem reluctant to seek help due to fears of being identified or punished." The official added, "Measures to reassure and support these soldiers are urgently needed."

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.