South Korean Ministry of Defense shows Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (5-L) and others taking part in a ceremony in Gwacheon, South Korea, 03 August 2026, to unveil a plaque displaying the name of the Defense Counterintelligence Agency, in this photo released by the defense ministry. The new counterintelligence unit is tasked with countering espionage and terror threats from North Korea and elsewhere, as part of a sweeping overhaul aimed at replacing a former unit long dogged by criticism over its political influence. Photo by ROK MINISTRY OF DEFENSE / EPA
Aug. 3 (Asia Today) -- South Korea formally dissolved its Defense Counterintelligence Command after 49 years and divided its counterintelligence, military security and national security investigation duties among three organizations.
The Defense Counterintelligence Headquarters, Defense Security Support Group and Security Investigation Group under the Defense Ministry's Criminal Investigation Command will separately handle functions previously concentrated in the former command.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said at a launch ceremony for the new counterintelligence headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, that the reorganization was intended to break with the military intelligence agency's history of political involvement.
