Proposal of Five Laws for Marine Corps Independence... Spotlight on President Lee's 'Quasi-Four-Branch System' Pledge

Amendments to the National Armed Forces Organization Act, Military Personnel Act, Military Court Act, Military Supplies Management Act, and the Act on Defense Reform

The so-called "Five Laws for Marine Corps Independence," which would effectively separate the Marine Corps from the Navy, have been proposed. Attention is focused on the outcome, as President Lee Jaemyung previously pledged to restructure the Marine Corps into a quasi-four-branch military system as part of his presidential campaign promises.

Heo Young, a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Chuncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, and Yanggu Gap in Gangwon Province), announced on the 10th that he had introduced the Five Laws for Marine Corps Independence as the main sponsor. These include amendments to the National Armed Forces Organization Act, the Military Personnel Act, the Military Court Act, the Military Supplies Management Act, and the Act on Defense Reform.

The proposed legislation consists of: an amendment to the National Armed Forces Organization Act to separate the Navy and Marine Corps organizations; an amendment to the Military Personnel Act to establish a new branch for the Marine Corps, thereby legally guaranteeing a four-branch military system; an amendment to the Military Court Act to establish a Marine Corps Prosecutor's Office; an amendment to the Military Supplies Management Act to add the Marine Corps as an entity responsible for managing military supplies, thereby facilitating equipment procurement for the Marine Corps; and an amendment to the Act on Defense Reform to establish a practical four-branch military system.

Since its founding, the Marine Corps has made significant contributions to South Korea's security. However, after the Marine Corps Headquarters was disbanded in 1973 under the Park Chung-hee administration, relevant military legal provisions regarding the Marine Corps were removed from current law. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by North Korea's artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island, there have been ongoing criticisms that the Marine Corps faces discriminatory treatment, such as not receiving equipment in a timely manner and being unable to voice its opinions properly within the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to Representative Heo, the Five Laws for Marine Corps Independence are expected to resolve these injustices. In particular, the legislation provides for independence not only in organizational structure but also in the judicial field, military supplies management and procurement, and defense reform, thereby enabling the establishment of a practical four-branch military system. This bill is also in line with President Lee Jaemyung's pledge to restructure the Marine Corps as an independent quasi-fourth military branch.

Heo Young emphasized, "Strengthening the status of the Marine Corps through independence is essential to enhance its capabilities and morale, given its significant contributions to South Korea's security." He added, "By establishing a practical four-branch military system, we expect to strengthen our national defense capabilities, and I will do my utmost to amend the law to boost military morale."