Air Force Chief of Staff Announces Plan to Separate Military Police Base Defense and Investigation Functions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The functions of the Air Force Military Police are expected to be separated into base defense and investigation in the future.

Park In-ho, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Force, on the 5th met with reporters at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, during his inauguration greeting, and regarding criticisms that the military police failed to perform their role during the process in which an Air Force female sergeant committed an extreme act after being sexually harassed, he stated, "We plan to separate the base defense and investigative functions of the military police."

Unlike the Army, the Air Force Military Police are responsible for both investigations and base defense, so this means they intend to improve the situation where investigative functions may have been relatively neglected.

He explained, "If there is a base defense axis and an investigation axis, manpower will develop in a balanced way and the reporting system will be simplified. As a result, sexual-related education will also be strengthened, so I think it will improve." He added, "Base defense is such an important mission that it is true that we have been focusing on it. Because of that, there have been criticisms that investigative expertise is lacking."

After his inauguration on the 2nd, General Park introduced that he held a one-night, two-day forum with Air Force general commanders to discuss ways to improve investigative expertise and ensure transparency and promptness. He said, "(At the forum) we discussed what is needed for military innovation, and people shared the view that 'I must change first.' We discussed what kind of educational system and institutional supplements are necessary for such change." He added, "We will quickly implement what the Air Force can do on its own institutionally and propose to the Ministry of National Defense for approval on parts that require it."

General Park said, "I feel a very heavy heart and great responsibility as I take office as Chief of Staff at this grave time," and "I pray for the repose of the female sergeant who left us without being able to fully realize her intentions, and I deeply apologize to her family." He also stated, "The Air Force is currently in a slump and discouraged, but we cannot neglect our basic missions. We will carry out military innovation tasks well while also performing basic missions such as airspace defense effectively."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.