Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during the 12th Defense Industry Development Council meeting at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, June 4. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense.
The Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) will be dismantled and its functions will be dispersed among newly established organizations, as part of the Ministry of National Defense's plan to reduce the unchecked power of the unit.
The ministry unveiled a sweeping reform plan on Wednesday, which came after the military intelligence agency drew criticism for being misused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol for his Dec. 3, 2024 martial law declaration.
The ministry said the overhaul is intended to prevent any future political involvement by military intelligence organizations by dismantling the concentration of DCC's power.
“The reform plan goes beyond a simple organizational restructuring or adjustment of functions,” Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said during a news conference.
