The South Korean Ministry of Defense has decided to transfer responsibilities for personnel management of generals, traditionally held by Army Academy graduates, to civil servants.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense announced a significant restructuring of its personnel management system, traditionally controlled by military officers from the Army Academy. The new directive, revealed on the 17th, indicates that the position responsible for personnel planning and management, a crucial role in shaping military leadership, will now be held by a civil servant rather than a current or reserve military officer. This change highlights a shift towards civilian oversight in military personnel matters, emphasizing the intention to enhance fairness and independence in military appointments.
This reform, part of a larger initiative by Defense Minister An Gyu-baek to civilianize the military's leadership structure, comes after a history of military officers predominantly occupying high-level personnel roles. By establishing a new Military Personnel Operations Team under the Welfare and Personnel Department and assigning its leadership to civil servants, the Ministry aims to adopt a more structured and impartial approach to managing appointments for senior military officers and civilian staff above grade two.
The implications of this change are significant as it marks the first time in 64 years that a civilian has taken on such a pivotal role in military personnel management, which historically has been reserved for high-ranking military officers. Defense officials assert that transitioning the responsibilities to civil servants will provide a foundation for more balanced personnel policies across the military branches, reflecting a broader commitment to civil administration within the armed forces.
