Seoul: The operational control of two Marine divisions, currently governed by the Army, is set to be restored to the Marine Corps for the first time in five decades as part of a significant military overhaul, the defense ministry announced on Wednesday. The move aims to ensure the Marine Corps' independence by fully restoring operational control over its military units.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the plan outlines that the operational control of the 1st Marine Division and the 2nd Marine Division will be returned to the Marine Corps by the end of 2026 and 2028, respectively. Presently, the 1st Marine Division's operational control is under the Army's 2nd Operation Command, while the 2nd Marine Division is controlled by the Army's Capital Corps.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated during a briefing that the Marine Corps will continue to operate under the Navy, but its independence will be enhanced by granting the Marine Corps commander command and oversight authority equivalent to the chiefs of staff of each service. The minister also pledged to consider promoting Marines to four-star general positions, as the current Marine Corps commander holds a three-star general rank.

The defense ministry is also considering establishing an independent operations command for the Marine Corps to ensure it has an adequate command structure and weapons system comparable to other military branches. This overhaul is part of President Lee Jae Myung's policy initiatives aimed at restructuring the military's three-pronged structure, which consists of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, to grant the Marine Corps increased independence.