Defense ministry dissolves counterintelligence command to curb political interference

The defense ministry said it will dissolve the Defense Counterintelligence Command on July 31, splitting its concentrated powers among three new specialized agencies. The reorganization aims to distribute authority previously held by a single institution across functional lines to ensure mutual checks and balances while strengthening accountability and professionalism.

Minister Ahn Gyu-baek called the reorganization a historic watershed for building a people's military that ensures intelligence organs can never again intervene in politics. "The reorganization plan goes beyond simple organizational changes or function adjustments to restructure the organization and mission so that our military's intelligence agency can never again intervene in politics," Ahn said.

The restructuring disperses functions into the Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters, the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters and the Defense Security Support Group. The Counterintelligence Headquarters will handle counterintelligence, defense industry information activities and cyber security. The Security Support Group takes charge of central security audits at the corps level or higher and investigations into security accidents. Authority for national security investigations and joint inquiry powers during martial law shifts to the Investigation Headquarters.

To reinforce democratic control, the ministry will appoint senior external audit officials as heads of the inspection offices within the Counterintelligence and Investigation headquarters. A compliance and inspection committee reporting directly to the minister will also be established, with plans to report major duties to the National Assembly standing committee upon request.

The changes are enacted through Presidential Decree No. 36526, issued on July 28, which abolishes the Defense Counterintelligence Command Ordinance and takes effect on July 31. Eleven related decrees, including the enforcement decree of the Act on Prevention of Terrorism for the Protection of Citizens and Public Safety, are being revised to reflect the new terminology and organizational structure.

The ministry plans to push for the enactment of a tentative Military Counterintelligence Personnel Duty Performance Act within the year to define the scope of counterintelligence activities and establish penalties for illegal conduct by personnel.