Defense ministry dissolves counterintelligence command in major reshuffle

The defense ministry announced a reorganization of its military intelligence apparatus that dissolves the Defense Counterintelligence Command and distributes its functions across three newly created agencies. The changes were enacted through a presidential decree promulgated July 28.

Under the new structure, the National Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters will assume responsibility for counterintelligence, defense industry information activities and cybersecurity tasks. The newly established National Defense Security Support Group will handle central security inspections for units at the corps level or higher and investigate security incidents. Investigative authority has been transferred to the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters to bolster the independence of military probes, managing national security investigations and holding joint investigation rights during periods of martial law.

The reform targets the abolition of duties previously held by the dissolved command, including trend surveys, personnel espionage, and the collection of information on illegal activities and corruption.

To ensure democratic oversight, high-ranking external audit officials will be appointed as heads of inspection offices within both the counterintelligence and investigation headquarters. A compliance and inspection committee reporting directly to the defense minister will be installed, and the counterintelligence headquarters must report its major operations to the National Assembly's standing committee upon request.

The revised decree takes effect on July 31. The ministry plans to push for the enactment of a dedicated law tentatively titled the Act on the Performance of Duties by Military Counterintelligence Personnel before the end of the year. The proposed legislation aims to clearly define the scope of counterintelligence activities and establish penalties for illegal operations.