[2020 National Audit] Cyber Warfare Officers Applying for Discharge One After Another

From the first class commissioned in 2016 to the third class commissioned in 2018, there are a total of 78 cyber warfare officers. Among them, only 5 individuals have expressed a desire for long-term service.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been revealed that the leakage of cyber warfare specialists trained by the Ministry of National Defense in preparation for cyber warfare is severe. In 2012, the Ministry of National Defense established the Department of Cyber Defense at Korea University with the goal of creating the "world's first cyber warfare talent officer academy" to train professional officers, but it has failed to nurture them in the long term.

According to the "Status of Active Duty Cyber Warfare Officers and Long-term Service Selection" submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to Hong Young-pyo, a member of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, a total of 78 cyber warfare officers were commissioned from the 1st class in 2016 to the 3rd class in 2018. Among them, only 5 wished to serve long-term.

Initially, the military planned to cultivate elite officers by imitating Israel's Talpiot (elite soldier training program). Cyber warfare officers who entered Korea University were given benefits such as full scholarships, free dormitories, and a monthly academic encouragement stipend of 500,000 KRW. Commissioned cyber warfare officers are classified as professional positions, cannot change their assignments, and must serve a mandatory 7-year term.

However, the operational plan was sloppy. From the 4th class commissioned last year, the plan to assign them to the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) for the first three years was changed, and they were assigned to the Cyber Operations Command instead. The progress rate of the project to strengthen national cyber security capabilities was also insufficient, remaining at 54% as of September this year.

Representative Hong said, "With the rapid rise of asymmetric power, we need to nurture cyber warfare talent, but our military's personnel training and management are too complacent," adding, "We must minimize personnel leakage by expanding incentives and increase national utilization."

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