The defense ministry announced that it discharged Commander of the First Army Shin Hyeon-don (General, 35th Class of the Korea Military Academy, photo) on September 2.

Shin submitted his application for discharge this day, and the government accepted his application.

It was conveyed that Shin requested to be discharged after an internal investigation uncovered he had engaged in disorderly conduct as a general when he drank excessively after a lecture on security at his alma mater last June.

An official from the defense ministry said, "Commander Shin deserted his position as a commander when he visited his alma mater to give a security lecture on June 19, when the military was to maintain readiness posture while President Park Geun-hye was on an overseas trip.

" He further elaborated, "He took the responsibility for having damaged the dignity as a soldier in his absence and submitted an application for discharge as of today." In other words, Shin's controversial actions after drinking when he was absent from his post without leave is why he was discharged.

After giving a security lecture, Commander Shin enjoyed a meal with his colleagues at a restaurant near his alma mater.

The men enjoyed drinks with their meal. Reportedly, Shin was then witnessed by someone else entering the bathroom at a rest area with his uniform unbuttoned.

There an officer who accompanied Shin quarreled with a civilian. A military official said, "The civilian reported a complaint at the Capital Defense Command, and the command in turn notified the First Army Command of the report."

Although Shin submitted his application for discharge first, after reviewing the details, this seems more like a dismissal than a discharge. Military officials say that it is very unusual for an Army general to be discharged in this way.

Thus some claim that a battle over the decision-making power concerning human resources within the military may be the reason behind Shin's discharge.

That the military is raising an issue with an incident which had occurred in June now, with the October regular personnel appointments just a month away, is also a factor fueling these suspicions.

What's more, Shin was a figure mentioned as a strong candidate for the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Shin is also known to have reconciled with the civilian whom his adjutant had quarreled with, leading some to argue that the punishment was too severe.

The government appointed Deputy Commander Jang Jun-gyu as the acting commander until they appoint Shin's successor.