Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)

The Ministry of National Defense (MND, Korean대한민국 국방부; Hanja大韓民國 國防部; RRDaehanminguk Gukbangbu) is a department within the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and responsible for the military branches of South Korea.

Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea
대한민국 국방부
Daehanminguk Gukbangbu
Agency overview
Formed15 August 1948; 76 years ago (1948-08-15)
JurisdictionGovernment of South Korea
Headquarters22, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
37°32′01″N 126°58′40″E / 37.533528°N 126.977694°E / 37.533528; 126.977694
Annual budget57.01 trillion
US$44.2 billion (2023)[1]
Minister responsible
  • Kim Seon-ho (acting)
Child agencies
WebsiteOfficial MND website in English
Official MND website in Korean
Ministry of National Defense
Hangul
대한민국 국방부
Hanja
大韓民國 國防部
Revised RomanizationDaehanminguk Gukbangbu
McCune–ReischauerTaehanmin'guk Kukpangbu

History

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The Ministry of National Defense was established on 15 August 1948[2] and located at Yongsan-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul.[3] It was established following the foundation of ROK in 1948, superseding the Department of Internal Security [ko] (DIS, 국내경비부) in charge of Southern Korean armed forces under the United States Army Military Government (USAMGIK) during the Allied occupation era.[4] During Coup d'état of December Twelfth, ministry was occupied by 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade commanded by Park Hee-do.[5] In 2018, the Ministry has agreed to respect the results from its Special Investigation Committee on Gwangju Uprising in which MD Helicopters MD 500 and UH-1H were used to fire on protesting citizens.[6]

The Ministry of National Defense is allegedly active in military-level censorship such as book banning[7] and screening of mobile apps[8] within the military hierarchy.

In April 2024, South Korean and the UK navies conducted joint patrols around the Korean Peninsula to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The mission aimed to intercept illicit shipping, following the Downing Street Accord signed by the leaders earlier. Canada and New Zealand also contributed to sanctions enforcement in the region. However, challenges arose, with Russia vetoing a resolution to renew the panel monitoring sanctions enforcement against North Korea.[9]

Agencies

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List of ministers

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Defense Buget". Ministry of National Defense. 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. ^ "History of Ministry of National Defense"[permanent dead link] ROK Ministry of National Defense Retrieved 2012-04-11
  3. ^ "Location." (Archive) Ministry of National Defense. Retrieved on January 1, 2014. "Yongsan-dong 3 Ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 140-701"
  4. ^ 나종남 (2013), "<제6주제-국방> 대한민국 국군의 창설과 성장, 1945~1955: '創軍史'에서 '建軍史'로", 대한민국 정부수립과 국가체제 구축 연구용역 : 용역 최종보고서 (in Korean), National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, p. 220
  5. ^ "제1공수여단장! 박희도(朴熙道)". 영남신문 (in Korean). 10 February 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  6. ^ "5 · 18 Special Committee "Confirmation of military helicopter shooting"". National Defense Daily. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  7. ^ Kim, Eun-jung (28 October 2010). "Constitutional Court upholds ban on 'seditious books' in military". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  8. ^ Bae, Ji-sook (7 February 2012). "Military to screen all mobile apps". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  9. ^ Choi, David (11 April 2024). "UK, South Korea complete first joint patrol to intercept illicit North Korean trade". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
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