Ministry of National Defense: "Defense Counterintelligence Command to Transfer or Abolish Main Functions, Retain Only Counterintelligence"

The Ministry of National Defense announced on August 25 that it will transfer or abolish the main functions of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, which played a key role during the December 3 Martial Law, and will retain only its counterintelligence function.

In a report to the National Assembly's Defense Committee on current issues, the Ministry stated, "We will reorganize intelligence agencies into structures optimized for the performance of their core missions." According to the report, investigative functions are likely to be transferred to the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, while security functions will be moved to the Defense Intelligence Headquarters. The Ministry also revealed plans to restructure the command and organizational structure of the Defense Intelligence Command and to integrate similar or overlapping functions within the defense intelligence organization.

Previously, the Presidential Committee on National Policy Planning announced at a public briefing on August 13 that, as part of its defense sector agenda, it plans to abolish the Defense Counterintelligence Command and distribute its essential functions. The Ministry of National Defense's formalization of this organizational restructuring is seen as aligning with this policy direction.

At the Defense Committee meeting, the Ministry also reported plans to pursue amendments to relevant laws, such as the Martial Law Act and the Basic Act on Military Personnel, to prevent the recurrence of illegal martial law declarations.

The Ministry noted that, following the implementation last month of an amendment to the Martial Law Act that prohibits blocking access to the National Assembly by lawmakers or government officials even when martial law is declared by the President, it will also seek to revise related enforcement decrees and subordinate regulations. Additionally, the Ministry is considering introducing provisions that would grant the right to refuse unlawful orders and prohibit the issuance of orders by commanders that violate the Constitution or laws.

Furthermore, to strengthen ROK-U.S. defense cooperation, the Ministry plans to hold the ROK-U.S. Defense Integrated Dialogue (KIDD) in September and the ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in October or November. It also announced preparations for procedures to restore military communication lines between South and North Korea to ease military tensions.