Seoul: The defense ministry launched a new counterintelligence unit tasked with countering espionage and terror threats from North Korea and other regions, as part of a comprehensive overhaul aimed at replacing a former unit criticized for its political influence.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the new defense counterintelligence agency is one of three newly established bodies under the reform plan. This initiative comes after the ministry decided to disperse and transfer the core functions of the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) to new and existing agencies. The decision to dismantle the DCC was announced in early June, marking the end of the command's 49-year history.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back addressed the significance of this transition during a launch ceremony, emphasizing the break from the counterintelligence agency's "dark past" and its political interference under previous administrations. Ahn highlighted that the new counterintelligence headquarters will focus solely on its original missions and urged agency officials to serve the public diligently.
The new unit aims to proactively address future security threats by collaborating with domestic and foreign partners to combat increasingly covert intelligence activities and terrorist threats, particularly from North Korea. Additionally, it will focus on preventing military secret leaks within the defense industry and provide security support for strategic areas, such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations pursued in cooperation with the U.S. Navy.
The ministry also outlined plans to protect advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and satellite systems, against potential cyber threats. The launch ceremony took place at the former DCC headquarters in Gwacheon, attended by Defense Minister Ahn and other military officials.
On the same day, a new security support unit was launched within the ministry. This unit will primarily oversee internal military security, conducting security audits for larger military formations and investigating security breaches. The DCC, known for wielding excessive powers through its intelligence-gathering roles, has faced criticism and undergone several reform efforts under previous administrations.
The involvement of the DCC in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law imposition on December 3, 2024, reignited calls for reform. The reform plans also include the creation of a separate investigative unit to handle crimes threatening national security, such as espionage, treason, and cybersecurity threats.