Lead

South Korea's defense ministry launched a new security support unit on Monday to oversee internal military security, as part of a sweeping overhaul following the disbandment of its counterintelligence unit long dogged by criticism over its political influence, Yonhap News reported.

The new body is one of three new agencies being established under the reform plan, after the ministry decided to disperse and transfer the core functions of the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) to new and existing agencies. The ministry unveiled the reform plans in early June to dismantle the DCC, marking the command's dissolution 49 years after its establishment.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News reported the cabinet approved five presidential decrees on July 21 to reform the military counterintelligence unit, following the announcement to dismantle the command amid criticism over its undue political influence. The decrees were to be promulgated the following Tuesday, with the ministry planning to officially launch two of the new bodies under its wing by July 31.

A subsequent report on August 3 detailed the launch of the new security support unit, describing it as one of three new agencies being established under the reform plan. The ministry said the reform represents a step toward turning military intelligence into a "democratic organization trusted by the public."

Key Claims

  • The Cabinet approved five presidential decrees to reform the military counterintelligence unit, Yonhap reported.
  • The Defense Counterintelligence Command will be dismantled and its core functions dispersed to new and existing bodies under the defense ministry.
  • A new body will be created to handle counterintelligence, defense industry intelligence, and cybersecurity operations.
  • The authority to conduct surveillance and gather personnel intelligence, including background checks on individuals of interest, will be stripped from the military.
  • The new security support agency will handle internal military security affairs, including security-related audits for corps-level units or larger formations and investigation into security breaches.
  • A separate investigative unit will be launched to handle crimes threatening national security, such as espionage, treason, and cybersecurity threats.
The ministry said the new agency is expected to enhance objectivity and fairness of defense security duties, further elevating the military's overall security posture by working to prevent security incidents.

Context

The DCC, established in 1977, has often been criticized for wielding excessive powers through its unique intelligence-gathering roles and has undergone a series of reform efforts under previous administrations. Its involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law imposition on December 3, 2024, has reignited calls for reform, Yonhap reported. The command's former commander is standing trial for allegedly deploying troops during the martial law attempt.