Defense Counterintelligence Command [Provided by the Ministry of National Defense] 

The government has decided to disband the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCIC), which played a crucial role during the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law,' and redistribute its key functions to different agencies.

The DCIC, which has wielded immense power as a military authority since its establishment as the Defense Security Command in 1977, will disappear from history after 49 years.

On the 10th, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek announced the 'Plan for the Disbandment and Reorganization of the Defense Counterintelligence Command' at the Ministry of National Defense building in Seoul.

First, the government will redistribute the functions previously held by the DCIC, including ▲ counterintelligence and defense industry-related intelligence activities ▲ security investigations ▲ and security audits, to other agencies.

Intelligence activities related to counterintelligence and the defense industry, as well as defense industry and cybersecurity tasks, will be assigned to the newly established 'Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters.' Security investigation functions and joint investigation authority during martial law will be transferred to the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters.

Furthermore, a 'Defense Security Support Group' will be newly established to conduct central security audits for corps-level and above, as well as investigations into security incidents, thereby overseeing internal military security operations.

The functions of trend analysis, personnel intelligence, and public sentiment gathering, which have been identified as the foundation for the DCIC's status as a military authority, along with intelligence gathering on illegal and corrupt activities unrelated to counterintelligence, will be completely abolished.

The plan to disband the DCIC by transferring its existing investigation, counterintelligence, and security functions to multiple agencies, and to abolish controversial functions such as trend analysis, is in response to the recommendations made by the 'Subcommittee for Redesigning Counterintelligence and Security' of the 'Civilian-Military Joint Special Advisory Committee' (hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Committee) in January of this year.

The DCIC's predecessor, the Defense Security Command, was established in 1977 by integrating the counterintelligence units of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since then, it has been involved in various political controversies and has changed its name, but its substantive functions and authority have remained largely unchanged.

However, with this disbandment, the DCIC's structure, which it has maintained, will undergo a fundamental change for the first time.

It has been revealed that the DCIC played a pivotal role during the December 3 Emergency Martial Law, deploying personnel to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission and operating teams for the arrest of politicians.

In response, President Lee Jae-myung included 'Reform of Military Intelligence Agencies (DCIC)' in his presidential campaign pledges. The government has been examining reform measures, viewing the excessive concentration of power in the DCIC and the lack of democratic oversight as the root causes of the problems.

Along with the disbandment of the DCIC, the government plans to strengthen internal inspection functions and democratic oversight by the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense for the newly established Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters.

The plan includes appointing a senior external audit official to the position of Chief Inspector of the Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters and establishing a dedicated organization within the Ministry of National Defense headquarters to command and supervise counterintelligence, intelligence, and security agencies.

Additionally, to ensure external scrutiny, a 'Committee for Compliance Inspection,' composed of civilian experts, will be established directly under the Minister of National Defense. Guidelines for counterintelligence activities will be formulated and reported to the National Assembly on a regular basis.

Furthermore, the government is pushing for the enactment of a law, tentatively titled the 'Military Counterintelligence Personnel Duty Performance Act,' which will clearly define the scope of counterintelligence activities and establish penalties for illegal actions.

The DCIC also stated its intention to break away from its existing closed and authoritarian organizational culture by integrating the DCIC's personnel management system with the 'common system for the entire military to enhance the transparency and fairness of personnel operations.'

The Ministry of National Defense aims to complete the establishment of the new organizations by the end of next month, following the amendment and enactment of related departmental orders.

Minister Ahn Kyu-baek stated, "The reform plan for the DCIC is not merely an organizational or functional adjustment; it is a historic turning point in the 'construction of a military for the people' by restructuring the organization and mission to ensure that our military's intelligence agencies can never again interfere in politics."