Gov't to dismantle counterintelligence command that played martial law role, disperse its powers The government will break up Defense Counterintelligence Command, the military unit tied to Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law, and shift its powers to new and existing agencies under tighter oversight. 2026.6.10
Army rescinds 33 commendations linked to 1980 pro-democracy crackdown The Army said Tuesday it has revoked 33 commendations that were awarded to soldiers in the name of an Army chief for their roles in a bloody crackdown during the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju. 2026.5.19
Korea, U.S. defense chiefs discuss Seoul's phased involvement in Iran war, 'different views' on Opcon transfer The defense minister confirmed that Korea informed Washington it was reviewing contributions to restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz but acknowledged their “different views” on the transfer timeline for wartime operational control. 2026.5.13
Seoul to review 'phased' contributions to U.S. initiative in Hormuz: Defense chief Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced Wednesday he has told his U.S. counterpart that Seoul will review making phased contributions to the U.S. initiative in the Strait of Hormuz. 2026.5.13
Defense chief says U.S. has not made official request for warships in Hormuz The Defense Ministry has not received an official request from the United States to deploy warships to the Middle East, Minister Ahn Gyu-back said following U.S. President Donald Trump's call for allies to send vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. 2026.3.17
Defense Ministry to reinstate North Korea Policy Division The Ministry of National Defense will reinstate its North Korea Policy Division, which was dissolved under the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration, nearly one year after its removal. 2025.12.21
Defense Ministry to form special unit to investigate Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration With the special counsel investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration set to conclude on Dec. 14, the Ministry of National Defense announced Monday that it will launch its own investigation. 2025.12.9
Defense Ministry approves early sponsorship for DX Korea 2026 organizers The Ministry of National Defense has granted early sponsorship approval to DX Korea 2026, an exhibition focused on advanced defense and military technologies, allowing organizers to begin preparations sooner for the event's September 2026 opening. 2025.11.26
Defense chief inspects security safety command center ahead of APEC summit Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Friday inspected the country's safety and protection readiness for participants in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit set for next week, officials said. 2025.10.24
Soldiers to be awarded for defending 'constitutional values' during martial law bid The Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that it has decided to award 11 soldiers for their efforts to guard democracy and "constitutional values" during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched attempt to declare martial law. 2025.9.23
![The emblem of the Ministry of National Defense is shown in this undated file photo. [YONHAP NEWS TV]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12591348.jpg?imageId=12591348&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, right, hosts Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back for an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington on May 11. [GETTY IMAGES/YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12601670.jpg?imageId=12601670&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, on the right, walks to a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Washington, on May 11. [MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12617191.jpg?imageId=12617191&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back attends a plenary session of the parliamentary defense committee at the National Assembly building in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 17. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12618392.jpg?imageId=12618392&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![President Lee Jae Myung takes part in a policy briefing by the Ministry of National Defense at the defense ministry building in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Dec. 18. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12411287.jpg?imageId=12411287&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Armed martial law troops leave the National Assembly, western Seoul, after lawmakers voted to call off martial law on Dec. 4, 2024. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12089807.jpg?imageId=12089807&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![A poster for DX Korea 2026 [DX KOREA]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12177458.jpg?imageId=12177458&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks to Yonhap News Agency in an exclusive interview at his office in Seoul on Oct. 17. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12177946.jpg?imageId=12177946&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)
![Ex-Marine investigator acquitted of subordination charges Marine Col. Park Jung-hun, a former Marine Corps chief investigator, speaks to reporters at the High Military Court in the defense ministry compound in Seoul on Jan. 9, 2025, after the court acquitted him of subordination charges in a military probe into a young conscript killed during flood-related rescue operations. [YONHAP]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12474531.jpg?imageId=12474531&width=240&height=184&format=webp&format=jpg)