The Defense Agency punished 1,286 officials in fiscal 2004, and 1,229, or 95 percent of them, were Self-Defense Forces officials, the agency said Tuesday.

It is the first time the agency has disclosed the number of officials punished in line with disclosure guidelines issued by the National Personnel Authority in November 2003.

In the reporting year through March 31, 116 officials were dismissed, 590 were suspended and one was demoted, the agency said.

The reasons for punishment included unexcused absences and traffic violations, while stealing and fraud at 122 cases and assault at 86 cases were also cited as major reasons. The agency said it punished 1,325 officials in fiscal 2003.