The military is struggling with how to handle the three-point sword that Air Force Chief Justice Jeon Ik-soo, who was demoted from the rank of general for the first time since December 12, received when he was promoted to brigadier general.



The Ministry of National Defense is reviewing whether or not to return the three-pointed sword of the former chief, whose disciplinary action for demotion from brigadier general to colonel was approved on the 22nd.



It is known that the Ministry of National Defense is also reviewing whether to return various replicas representing generals such as three-pointed swords, boots, and belts.



Chief Jeon was designated as the person in charge of the initial investigation into the case of the late Air Force Sergeant Ye-Ram Lee, and was demoted.



Chief Jeon is not only the first after democratization, but also the first case of being demoted to a rank other than general since the introduction of Samjeong-geom, the predecessor of Samjeong-geom, in 1983.



If the former chief, who is scheduled to be discharged next month, was discharged without being demoted and maintained the rank of brigadier general, he could go out with a three-pointed sword, report possession of the sword to the police, and retain it.



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Samjeonggeom, which is often regarded as a 'symbol of a general', was introduced by then-president Chun Doo-hwan in 1983 as a three-way sword rather than a sword, and he himself had No. 1.



Then, until 1985, the practice of awarding generals or chiefs of agencies sanctioned by the president, overall military generals in 1986, and new brigadier generals in 1987 was established.



In 2007, the Roh Moo-hyun government changed it to a double-edged sword, saying that Samjeong was similar to a Western sword.



Chief Jeon was awarded a brigadier general in January of last year, and in November of the same year, he was bestowed with a three-pointed sword from then-President Moon Jae-in.



It is said that it is difficult to find proper regulations on how to dispose of the three-pointed sword when the rank is lowered.



Opinions are divided, such as the argument that it is a sword given to a general, so it must be returned when the rank is demoted to the rank of field officer, and whether it is necessary to bring back an object that does not have additional privileges, unlike decorations and decorations.



When the Samjeong sword is promoted to brigadier general, the president attaches a pink figure embroidered with the position, name, and date on the handle of the sword received at the time of brigadier general or general after conferment.



The three-pointed sword, which means to achieve the three spirits of national defense, unification, and prosperity by uniting the three armies of the army, navy, and air, is made up of a blade, hilt, and sheath made of special steel, copper, and cinnamon.



The Taegeuk pattern is engraved on the hilt, and the presidential insignia and Mugunghwa are engraved on the scabbard.



It is 100 cm long (blade 75 cm, hilt 25 cm) and weighs 2.5 kg.



(Photo = Yonhap News)