Minister of National Defense
Overview
The Minister of National Defense is a cabinet-level official who formulates and executes national defense policy, and commands and manages the military. They assist the President in exercising command authority over the armed forces and represent the Ministry of National Defense in cooperation with the National Assembly and external organizations. The Minister of National Defense is responsible for war deterrence and strengthening defense capabilities at the forefront of national security, with a role encompassing political, military, and administrative aspects.
Main Content
Appointment and Qualifications
The Minister of National Defense is appointed by the President and undergoes a confirmation hearing by the National Assembly. Typically, individuals with military experience or experts in defense and security are appointed, but civilians are also eligible. Under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and the Government Organization Act, the Minister of National Defense controls the military under the principle of civilian control, and active-duty soldiers cannot serve as Minister (though reservists are eligible).
Key Duties
- Formulating Defense Policy: Establishes national security strategy, defense reform, and military force construction plans.
- Commanding the Military: Directs and supervises the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and cooperates with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- Budgeting: Formulates the defense budget and undergoes deliberation in the National Assembly. Manages defense improvement costs and force operation expenses.
- Commanding Military Operations: Participates in decisions related to wartime operational control and peacetime operational control.
- External Cooperation: Oversees the ROK-U.S. Alliance, UN peacekeeping forces, and international security cooperation.
- Military Personnel Management: Involved in personnel matters such as promotion, assignment, and retirement of general-level officers.
- Military Justice: Supervises legal matters including military courts, military prosecution, and protection of military human rights.
Organization and Authority
The Minister of National Defense heads the Ministry of National Defense and commands the Vice Minister (one), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chiefs of Staff of each service branch, Director of the Agency for Defense Development, and Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. The Minister advises the President on military operations and responds to defense-related inquiries in the National Assembly. Additionally, they may be involved in declaring martial law during national emergencies.
History and Key Figures
The Republic of Korea's Minister of National Defense system began with the establishment of the government in 1948. The first Minister of National Defense was Lee Beom-seok, who founded the ROK Armed Forces based on the military handed over from the U.S. military government. Subsequently, the role of the Minister of National Defense was crucial in major events such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, May 16 military coup, and December 12 military insurrection. Key figures include Kim Seong-eun, Yang Guk-jin, Lee Jong-gu, Kim Kwan-jin, Han Min-gu, Song Young-moo, Jeong Kyeong-doo, Seo Wook, Lee Jong-sup, and Shin Won-sik.
Political Role of the Minister of National Defense
The Minister of National Defense must maintain the political neutrality of the military, but historically, during military regimes, the political role was emphasized. After democratization, the principle of civilian control was strengthened, and the Minister of National Defense blocks military intervention in politics and is accountable to the National Assembly and civil society. Recently, key issues include North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, strengthening the ROK-U.S. Alliance, defense cost-sharing, and the transition of wartime operational control.
Latest Trends
As of 2024-2025, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea was replaced from Shin Won-sik (appointed in October 2023) to Kim Yong-hyun (former head of the Presidential Security Service) in September 2024. Major trends are as follows:
- Response to North Korean Threats: In response to the possibility of North Korea's seventh nuclear test and increased missile launch frequency, the Minister of National Defense is pursuing strengthened ROK-U.S. joint exercises and advancement of the Korea Triad system (Kill Chain, Korean Air and Missile Defense, Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation).
- Transition of Wartime Operational Control: Negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. on the transition of wartime operational control continue, with a target of full transition after 2025, but approached flexibly considering North Korean threats and military readiness.
- Defense Cost-Sharing: The Special Measures Agreement (SMA) for the cost of stationing U.S. Forces Korea was concluded in 2024, with an increase in contributions from 2025 to 2027. The Minister of National Defense leads the implementation of this agreement and strengthening the alliance.
- Military Reform: Defense Reform 2.0 is underway, including troop reduction (from 520,000 to 500,000), adjustment of officer and non-commissioned officer ratios, and strengthening drone, space, and cyber capabilities.
- Military Human Rights: Measures against sexual violence, abuse, and suicide incidents within the military have been strengthened, and the Minister of National Defense is establishing institutional mechanisms for improving military human rights.
- Defense Exports: With the increase in K-defense exports, the Minister of National Defense is expanding defense cooperation with Poland, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and others.
- Cybersecurity: Reflecting lessons from North Korean hacking and cyber warfare in the Russia-Ukraine war, the role of the Cyber Command is being strengthened.
Related Topics
- [[President]]
- [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
- [[Ministry of National Defense]]
- [[ROK-U.S. Alliance]]
- [[Military Regime]]
- [[Civilian Control]]
- [[Wartime Operational Control]]
- [[Defense Acquisition Program Administration]]