Page 262 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Section 4 Upholding Civilian Control of

the Military and Corruption-Free

National Defense Operation

To build the basis for civilian and democratic control of the military by the representatives elected by the
people, and foster conditions that allow the military to focus on their rightful duties, the MND is pursuing efforts
to establish its civilian control and political neutrality. In addition, to gain the people’s trust in the military, the
MND engages the people to participate in policymaking processes, develops anti-corruption measures jointly
carried out by the military and civilian sectors, and carries out active policy PR activities, thereby opening the
management of national defense to outside entities.

1. Active Efforts for Civilian Control of the MND

| Meaningful Pursuit of Civilian Control of the MND 21) | The MND is pursuing civilian
control of the MND to establish the principle of civil control over national defense policies and
create the conditions to allow the military to focus on its rightful missions. Civilian control over

the military is signif icant in that it is one of the basic principles of a democratic nation under
the Constitution and other laws, and national defense needs to be subject to democratic control
within the bigger framework of government policies.

Since its inauguration in 2017, the current administration has emphasized the need to
reestablish the roles of the MND and each military service, and rebuild the ROK Armed Forces
as the “Advanced Armed Forces of a Democratic Nation Trusted by the People” based on

the principle of civil control and political neutrality. In recognition of the fact that the core of

21) According to this principle, key national defense policies need to be determined by the president elected
through a popular election; the Minister of National Defense, who is a member of the administrative cabinet; and
civilian expert groups. In addition, military power should be used in accordance with the political and diplomatic
decisions of the state.

260 Chapter 6 Instilling a High-Morale Military Culture Trusted by the People