South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has announced plans for a new defense counterintelligence agency, the Defense Counterintelligence Command, following the disbandment of the existing Military Counterintelligence Corps. A draft ordinance outlining the agency’s structure and powers has been released for public comment. Notably, the new command will be explicitly prohibited from conducting “trend investigations” and collecting personnel intelligence. This represents a significant shift in intelligence-gathering authority, curtailing previously practiced methods. Officials state the changes aim to address concerns about past abuses and ensure compliance with privacy regulations. The move follows public scrutiny regarding the military’s intelligence activities and seeks to establish clearer boundaries for lawful operations. The ordinance is currently undergoing a public notice period before finalization and implementation.