A coalition of veteran experts across Korea’s national defense and security sectors, known as “Cheon Gun Man Ma (천군만마)”, has reconvened in support of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung in the upcoming 21st presidential election. This group, which includes former high-ranking military officers and national intelligence figures, is promoting a strategic three-pronged initiative: K-Defense, K-Defense Industry, and K-Security.
The organization is co-chaired by prominent figures such as Song Young-moo, former Minister of National Defense; Paik Un-ki, retired Army General; Boo Suk-jong, retired Admiral; and Lee Sun-hee, former Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Participants also include former generals, intelligence and police officers, national security scholars, and journalists.
Cheon Gun Man Ma was originally established during the 2017 political crisis following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. The group publicly supported the Democratic Party candidate at the time, advocating for the restoration of democracy and national security. Over the past nine years, it has continuously worked toward building a robust national defense, securing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and safeguarding democratic values.
Among its founding members, Song Young-moo, then a retired Navy Chief of Staff, served as the first Minister of National Defense under the Moon Jae-in administration. He played a pivotal role in the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, which significantly reduced tensions between North and South Korea. Likewise, Suh Hoon, a former Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service, went on to serve as the Director of the NIS, where he was instrumental in facilitating historic summits between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States—helping shift the peninsula from confrontation to dialogue.
The organization has also contributed to the modernization of Korea’s military capabilities, offering policy recommendations and actively participating in the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones into national defense systems, as well as pushing for innovation in the defense industry.
Recently, Cheon Gun Man Ma held a press conference at the National Assembly, denouncing the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s alleged movement toward declaring martial law on December 3 as a “grave threat to Korean democracy and constitutional order.” The group has since called for a special investigation into sedition, demanded President Yoon’s impeachment, and led a series of national rallies to defend the constitutional order.
Ahead of the 21st presidential election, the group declared its full endorsement of Lee Jae-myung, citing his platform centered on “winning without fighting through autonomous deterrence.” This “K-Initiative” includes:
- K-Defense: Strengthening independent national defense
- K-Defense Industry: Advancing both military and economic power
- K-Security: Promoting peace through deterrence and stabilization
Cheon Gun Man Ma currently consists of over 4,000 members, including retired generals, intelligence officials, members of the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Association, female military forums, and alumni from military academies such as ROTC and the Korea Military Academy. The group plans to expand its membership to 10,000 and launch a nationwide campaign to rally public support.
Its future activities will focus on:
- Eradicating forces that threaten constitutional democracy
- Exposing those involved in financial crimes against the state
- Completing the national vision of K-Defense, K-Defense Industry, and K-Security
Boo Suk-jong, Chairman of Cheon Gun Man Ma and former Navy Chief of Staff, stated:
“I am convinced by Lee Jae-myung’s expertise as a legal professional and public administrator, his resilience through adversity, and his courageous stance following the December 3 sedition incident. Cheon Gun Man Ma will stand by him until he is elected President.”
Choi Hyun-tae, Executive Chair, and Lee Jong-hwa, Executive Committee Member and President of the Korean Society for Social Security and Criminal Intelligence, added:
“The sedition charges facing the Yoon administration require a long legal battle. We place our full trust in Lee Jae-myung’s strategy of peace through strength—his K-Initiative. Having risen from humble origins as a child laborer to become a national leader, Lee Jae-myung is poised to achieve historic greatness akin to King Jeongjo. Cheon Gun Man Ma will be his strongest pillar of support.”
(This article reflects author’s opinion and not necessarily the views of WNAM )
