The unification of the military's administrative and command systems, as mandated by a pair of defense-related laws passed earlier this year, is scheduled to come into effect on Mar. 1, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday.
According to the plan, the minister of national defense will take control of the military command system from the chief of the general staff, who will effectively be demoted to become the minister's chief of staff.
The new command structure, which unifies the military's administrative and command systems, is mandated by two laws -- the Defense Law and Organizational Law of the MND -- which were made law in January.
The two defense-related laws required that the new command structure be enforced within two years.
In addition to the unification of the administrative and command systems, the two defense-related laws also mandate that the position of minister of national defense be held by a civilian.
Although formal command of the armed forces will pass to the minister of national defense on Mar. 1, several bills which flesh out the transfer of power have not yet been passed by the legislature.
These bills include language that defines the future composition of the general political warfare and the armament bureaus, which are being reorganized and put under direct ministry control.
A defense official who attended the committee meeting said that given the current rate of progress, it is quite unlikely that lawmakers will pass the proposed legislation any time soon.
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