Ministry of National Defense reports defense tasks and key issues to the National Defense Committee.

Puts defense reform roadmap, including wartime OPCON transition, on track.

Strengthens alert posture against North Korea through close ROK–US coordination.

Maintains full readiness with an ever-prepared posture.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back delivers opening remarks at a plenary session of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee on March 17.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back reaffirmed his strong commitment to concentrating capabilities on building an advanced, robust military trusted by the people amid grave security challenges, including those in the Middle East.

At the plenary session of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, which was held as part of the 433rd extraordinary session on March 17, Minister Ahn made these remarks while reporting on key tasks for 2026 defense operations and key outstanding defense issues.

He stated, “Our military has made dedicated efforts to regain honor and the people’s trust based on painful reflection on the Dec. 3 martial law crisis last year.” Minister Ahn stressed, “Furthermore, 2026 represents a watershed for rebuilding the people’s military, as well as an important year for the defense reform roadmap of our people’s sovereign government—including recovering wartime OPCON within the administration's term—to get on full track.”

He also assessed that amid ongoing mutual strikes between the United States and Israel, and Iran, military conflicts are spreading across all regions of the Middle East. He stated, “The Defense Ministry is maintaining an enhanced surveillance and alert posture against North Korea under close ROK-US coordination while ensuring the safety of units dispatched overseas.”

Minister Ahn reported, “Our military is dedicated to its basic mission, as it supported the safe return home of Koreans residing overseas in the Middle East last weekend under Operation Desert Shine. Going forward, our military will maintain a thorough readiness posture to prepare for all possible contingencies with an attitude of ever-preparedness.”

He emphasized, “Under this grave security environment, the Defense Ministry will systematically implement this year's defense policy to build an advanced, robust military trusted by the people.”

The Ministry of National Defense, in its business report, presented key points for 2026 defense operations: (i) establishing a comprehensive defense posture; (ii) implementing defense reform to cultivate an AI-based robust military; (iii) rebuilding the people’s military through realizing true national defense; (iv) establishing a defense cooperation network focused on national interests; (v) leading the realization of a Republic of Korea with a strong defense industry; and (vi) improving military service conditions, compensation, and welfare.

 By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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