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Operation control of Marine divisions to be restored to Marine Corps in military overhaul

Published: 31 Dec. 2025, 19:24

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back gives a red name tag to a conscript at the Marine Corps Education and Training Group in the southeastern port city of Pohang on Dec. 26 in this photo provided by his office. [MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE]

The operational control of two Marine divisions, now governed by the Army, will be restored to the Marine Corps for the first time in 50 years as part of a military overhaul, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The move is designed to ensure the independence of the Marine Corps by fully restoring its operational control over its military units.

Under the plan, 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.

The operational control of the 1st Marine Division currently lies with the Army's commander of the 2nd Operation Command, while that of the 2nd Marine Division is subject to control of the Army's Capital Corps.

"The Marine Corps will remain under the Navy as it is now, but its independence will be ensured by granting the Marine Corps commander command and oversight authority on par with that of the chiefs of staff of each service," Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said during a briefing.

The defense minister also vowed to review the possibility of promoting Marines to four-star general positions. Currently, a three-star general holds the role of Marine Corps commander.

It will also review setting up an independent operations command for the Marine Corps to ensure it is equipped with an adequate command structure and weapons system on par with other militaries.

The overhaul is part of President Lee Jae Myung's policy tasks aimed at restructuring the three-pronged military structure, consisting of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, to give the Marine Corps greater independence.

Yonhap