Ahn Gyu-baek Orders Park Jeong-hoon to Conduct Thorough Investigation into North Korean Drone Infiltration

Work Briefings from the Counterintelligence Command, Defense Intelligence Command, and Investigation Headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense

On January 21, Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek instructed Park Jeong-hoon, Acting Director of the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, to "conduct a thorough investigation and inquiry into the North Korean infiltration drone incident, leaving no room for any suspicion."

On this day, Minister Ahn visited the Defense Counterintelligence Command and received work briefings from three military intelligence and investigative agencies: the Counterintelligence Command, the Defense Intelligence Command, and the Investigation Headquarters. He stated, "With a mindset of complete transformation, let us boldly reform outdated practices and restore public trust through continuous innovation." This marks the first time Minister Ahn has visited military intelligence and investigative agencies and received work briefings directly on site.

Yonhap News Agency

This work briefing is the first case in which a civilian Minister of National Defense has directly inspected the overall work of military intelligence and investigative agencies from the perspective of civilian control. Minister Ahn emphasized, "Just as many people say that you cannot carve or build a house out of rotten wood, the fundamental reform required of the Counterintelligence Command and other military intelligence and investigative agencies is to reestablish the foundation and trust of these organizations."

The Counterintelligence Command, which led the December 3 Martial Law, is scheduled to be dismantled within the year. Previously, the Joint Civil-Military Special Advisory Committee for Overcoming Rebellion and Designing Future National Defense recommended to the Ministry of National Defense that the Counterintelligence Command be abolished, with its security investigation functions transferred to the Investigation Headquarters, and its counterintelligence and security audit functions transferred to the (tentatively named) National Defense Security Intelligence Service and the (tentatively named) Central Security Audit Team, respectively.

After receiving the work briefing from the Counterintelligence Command, Minister Ahn stated, "There has never been an organization in the history of the armed forces whose name has changed as many times as this one-from the Security Command, to the Defense Security Command, to the Defense Security Support Command, and now to the Counterintelligence Command." He instructed, "Face the public's harsh scrutiny and make a complete break from the past through painful self-reflection."

Regarding the Defense Intelligence Command, he said, "Although you have performed your duties behind the scenes, this has recently been the most painful period, to the extent that the very existence of the organization has been shaken." He continued, "With a mindset of returning to the fundamentals, you must dedicate yourselves to your core mission and devise reform measures for the Defense Intelligence Command to ensure that intelligence capabilities are never again abused or reduced to political tools."

Additionally, Minister Ahn told the Investigation Headquarters, "Uncovering the truth about illegal martial law in a transparent and rigorous manner is not a choice but a historical mission entrusted to the Investigation Headquarters." He added, "Especially after the transfer of counterintelligence investigation functions, you must demonstrate your reason for existence to the public with even higher ethical standards and professionalism in order to dispel concerns about the concentration of authority."