South Korea's armed forces are experiencing "a crisis of leadership" as a result of the political turmoil that has engulfed the nation in recent months, according to a former senior army officer. He also accused top politicians of showing disdain for the troops.

The "disrespect" for the armed forces has spread to public criticism of the military in the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3, said Chun In-bum, a retired lieutenant general in the Republic of Korea Army and now a senior fellow with the National Institute for Deterrence Studies.

The Constitutional Court on April 4 impeached Yoon and removed him from office for calling martial law. Yoon's criminal trial began on Monday at........

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