The Ministry of National Defense said on the 13th it will complete a reorganization of military intelligence agencies by 2027, including overhauling the Defense Counterintelligence Command (Counterintelligence Command) by next year.
At a briefing for the National Defense Committee's parliamentary audit held at the Ministry of National Defense complex this morning, the Ministry of National Defense said it is "gradually pushing ahead with the overhaul of counterintelligence and intelligence agencies and innovation of the military structure to be reborn as the people's military that safeguards constitutional values," reporting the plan.
The Ministry of National Defense plans to restructure the Counterintelligence Command into an organization specialized in counterintelligence activities. Viewing that the command holds excessive powers such as intelligence collection, investigations, and background checks, the ministry is reviewing transferring, adjusting, or abolishing those functions to other agencies.
The Ministry of National Defense will form a subcommittee on the reform of military intelligence and investigative agencies within a joint special committee of the public, private, and military sectors to draw up a reform plan within this year. It then plans to complete the overhaul by next year through follow-up steps, including revising related laws and rules and relocating facilities.
The Ministry of National Defense also announced plans to reorganize the Intelligence Headquarters and the Intelligence Command. By 2027, it will integrate similar and overlapping missions and functions of subordinate intelligence units around the Defense Intelligence Headquarters.
Minister Ahn Gyu-baek of the Ministry of National Defense said in his opening remarks that "the military faces complex and unpredictable security challenges at home and abroad," adding, "In particular, the advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities is seriously threatening the regional security order, including the Korean Peninsula."
He added, "We will make every effort to develop into an 'advanced, strong military trusted by the people,' and, as 'the people's military that safeguards constitutional values,' we will ensure there is never any ruling over the people or being swayed by outside interests."