The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) is said to have completed its investigation into the military's handling of the March 26 sinking of the South Korean corvette Cheonan. A team of international experts concluded last month a North Korean submarine had infiltrated South Korean waters near the Yellow Sea border and attacked the ship with a torpedo.
"The results of the BAI's investigation will be sent to the Ministry of National Defense within this week," the source said on the condition of anonymity.
"Based on the results, military authorities will consider carrying out a large-scale reshuffle as early as next week," the source said.
The BAI probe, which was requested by Defense Minister Kim Tae-young, looked into when and how the incident was reported along the chain of command, and whether the military was prompt and effective in its rescue mission and in dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Lee Sang-eui was found to have learned of the sinking 49 minutes after its occurrence, while the defense minister didn't find out until 52 minutes after.
Inside sources expect the reshuffle to include the defense minister and generals of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Minister Kim told lawmakers late last month that he has already tendered his resignation, admitting the military's failure to prevent and detect the North's torpedo attack.//Yonhap
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com