Introduction of AI Unmanned Systems... Gradual Organizational Restructuring

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The military authorities have decided to secure AI-based unmanned combat system capabilities early and gradually reorganize the defense organization.

On the 28th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it held the 'Future Defense Innovation Major Commanders Meeting' via video conference, chaired by Minister Seo Wook. The meeting was attended by key commanders and staff from each branch, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Won In-chul, Army Chief of Staff Nam Young-shin, Navy Chief of Staff Bu Seok-jong, Air Force Chief of Staff Park In-ho, Marine Corps Commander Kim Tae-sung, as well as officials from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Agency for Defense Development, senior officials, and the Director of Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Twenty institutions, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army, Navy, and Air Force Headquarters, ROK-US Combined Forces Command, each branch's Education Command, and military academies, were connected via video conference.

At the meeting, the Ministry of National Defense decided to promote five key focus areas for advancing into a cutting-edge science and technology military, which have been prepared since March through the 'Future Defense Innovation Initiative Task Force' composed of related agencies.

They agreed to apply advanced science and technology from the 4th Industrial Revolution to the military sector and rapidly secure AI-based unmanned combat system capabilities. To this end, a new 'Defense Science and Technology Committee' chaired by the Minister of National Defense will be established. This committee will serve as the highest decision-making body in the field of defense science and technology.

Additionally, to integrate the efforts of each military branch for AI and unmanned combat system operationalization and unify their direction, the Ministry plans to gradually reorganize its structure.

In the first phase, the rapid operationalization tasks of unmanned systems such as AI, drones, and robots were transferred to the Defense Reform Office. In the second phase, the 'Future Military Structure Planning Officer' of the Defense Reform Office was renamed to 'Future Defense Planning Officer,' and the 'Smart Defense Innovation Officer' was renamed to 'Defense Innovation Technology Officer.' These officers will lead the restructuring of future military units and force structures and be responsible for the rapid application of advanced science and technology within the military. In the third phase, the 'Basic Policy Division' of the Defense Policy Office will be renamed to the 'Future Strategy Division,' and starting this year, it will publish an annual Defense Planning Directive to provide guidelines for mid-term defense planning and budget formulation, thereby serving as a control tower.

For talent development aimed at applying new technologies in the defense sector, a 'Future Defense Strategy Innovation Course' will be established. This course will provide a 2-night, 3-day training program for senior officials at the level of section chief or higher from the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and related agencies. The first training session is scheduled for the second half of this year and will be conducted in a commissioned education format at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Furthermore, analyzing the changing security environment, the Ministry plans to publish 'Defense Vision 2050,' which outlines the future image of the military, in the second half of this year and will prepare it every five years thereafter. The current Basic Defense Policy Document will be revised into the 'Defense Strategy Document.'

The Joint Chiefs of Staff will apply AI-based unmanned combat systems and supplement and develop the joint operations concept, which has expanded to include battlefield domains such as cyber, space, and electronic warfare.

Minister Seo Wook emphasized, "Neighboring countries are also focusing national capabilities on scientific and technological development to prepare for the future," adding, "Our military must also rapidly apply advanced science and technology such as AI and unmanned systems to the armed forces and concentrate on developing defense policies and strategies to prepare for the future."

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