Government dismantles military counterintelligence command

The government has abolished the Defense Counterintelligence Command, replacing the centralized agency with three separate entities. The presidential decree, filed on July 28, takes effect on July 31.

Under the new structure, counterintelligence and defense industry security operations will move to the newly created Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters, while internal military security duties fall to the Defense Security Support Group. Investigative authority regarding national security and joint probes during martial law scenarios will reside with the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters.

The reform abolishes legacy functions associated with political influence, including the collection of personnel intelligence, social reputation data, and information on illegal activities unrelated to direct security threats. To enforce accountability, the two new headquarters will install external senior audit officials in their inspector general offices and establish a compliance monitoring committee composed of civilian experts directly under the defense minister.

Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baik described the restructuring as a historical watershed for building a "people's military" that reflects on painful lessons from the past. "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 ministry plans to officially launch the Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters and the Defense Security Support Group on July 31. The government also intends to draft a provisional law within the year to legally define the scope of military counterintelligence activities and penalties for overreach. The overhaul requires the repeal of the Defense Counterintelligence Command Ordinance and amendments to 11 other presidential decrees, including provisions in the Terrorism Prevention Act.