Defense ministry dismantles counterintelligence command to curb political interference

The defense ministry said it will dismantle the Military Counterintelligence Command and redistribute its functions to three new agencies to prevent the military intelligence apparatus from interfering in domestic politics.

Minister Ahn Kyu-baik called the restructuring a historic watershed for building a "people's military" that ensures intelligence organs can never again meddle in political affairs. The overhaul abolishes the Presidential Decree governing the old command and takes effect on July 31.

Under the new structure, counterintelligence and defense industry security duties will move to the newly created Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters, while internal security tasks will fall to the Defense Security Support Group. Investigative powers, including joint inquiry rights during martial law, will be transferred to the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters.

The reform specifically targets functions outside the command's original scope, systematically abolishing roles related to trend investigations, personnel espionage, and the collection of information on illegal activities or corruption. By dispersing authority concentrated in the former command, the ministry aims to secure mutual checks and balances while strengthening accountability and specialization across the new units.

External senior audit officials will be appointed as inspectors general for the new counterintelligence and investigation headquarters. A civilian compliance committee reporting directly to the minister will also be established, and the new bodies must report major operations to the National Assembly standing committee upon request.

To support these changes, the government plans to push for the enactment of a provisional "Act on the Performance of Duties by Military Counterintelligence Personnel" within this year. Additionally, the ministry will revise 11 existing presidential decrees, including the enforcement decree of the Act on Prevention of Terrorism, to remove references to the dissolved command.