{"id":2208296,"date":"2025-02-06T17:28:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T08:28:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208296"},"modified":"2025-02-07T15:59:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T06:59:25","slug":"lee-jae-myungs-marine-corps-plan-faces-feasibility-and-political-hurdles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/02\/lee-jae-myungs-marine-corps-plan-faces-feasibility-and-political-hurdles\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee Jae-myung\u2019s Marine Corps plan faces feasibility and political hurdles"},"content":{"rendered":"
Leading in opinion polls and sensing a potential return to power, South Korea\u2019s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung is embracing traditionally conservative defense policies, including a push to grant independence to the Marine Corps and boost military exports. His shift signals an effort to broaden his electoral appeal, but questions remain over the feasibility of his proposals and whether voters will perceive them as credible.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee has intensified his focus on national security amid what analysts see as positioning for another presidential bid. His recent proposals mirror promises from his unsuccessful 2022 campaign but come with renewed emphasis on issues typically championed by conservatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SHIFT IN TONE AND STRATEGY<\/b><\/p>\n In a Jan. 30 Facebook <\/span>post<\/span><\/a>, Lee emphasized national security as the government\u2019s primary duty amid what he described as heightened internal and external threats to South Korea. He pledged to prevent future political exploitation of the military and ensure forces can focus solely on their core defense duties.<\/span><\/p>\n On <\/span>Feb. 3<\/span><\/a>, Lee renewed his campaign pledge to elevate the Marine Corps to a more independent status, calling for discussions about reorganizing it as a fourth military branch. He argued that the move would align with global trends in strengthening the marines and enhance the corps\u2019 amphibious operation capabilities. He also emphasized the need for greater autonomy in budget, personnel decisions and operational command.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNational defense and security cannot be divided along party lines,\u201d Lee wrote, suggesting the proposal could serve as common ground for bipartisan cooperation on military reform.<\/span><\/p>\n Choi Gi-il, a professor at Sangji University\u2019s National Security Division, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that Lee Jae-myung and the DP have now fully embarked on a presidential bid.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that Lee is sending such messages related to defense and security means he is positioning himself not just as a party leader, but as a potential national leader,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Yang Uk, a military analyst at the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies, characterized Lee\u2019s proposal as a direct adoption of conservative security policies rather than a fresh initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLee isn\u2019t bringing anything new to the table,\u201d Yang said. \u201cIt\u2019s essentially a collection of policies that conservatives have long supported, tried to push through but failed or are already pursuing. It\u2019s not a meaningful policy shift.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n ROK Marines conduct amphibious landing drills in April 2024 | Image: ROK Marine Corps via Facebook<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n MARINE CORPS INDEPENDENCE DEBATE<\/b><\/p>\n Since its founding in 1949, South Korea\u2019s Marine Corps has played a key role in major conflicts, including the Korean and Vietnam wars, while operating under the Navy.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the years, the corps has undergone significant structural changes, evolving into a corps-level unit with two divisions and two independent brigades, specializing in amphibious operations and defense of the northwestern islands along the inter-Korean sea border.<\/span><\/p>\n The Marine Corps initially held equal status with the Navy, with its commander holding the same rank as the Navy\u2019s chief of staff. In 1969, both positions were elevated to four-star general rank, but in 1973, the Marine Corps commander was downgraded and placed under the Navy, effectively stripping the corps of independent decision-making authority.<\/span><\/p>\n The marines regained considerable autonomy in 1987 when their command was re-established, and a 2019 amendment to military personnel law allowed marine commanders to attain four-star general rank, opening the possibility of a Marine Corps general serving as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or deputy commander of the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Lee\u2019s recent proposal to reorganize the Marine Corps as a fourth military branch would significantly boost its autonomy. The initiative has garnered bipartisan support in recent years. During the 2022 presidential campaign, both Lee and Yoon Suk-yeol pledged similar reforms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yoon vowed to transform the military into a four-branch system by making the Marine Corps independent from the Navy and promoting its commander to a four-star general rank. Lee\u2019s 2022 campaign added an emphasis on modernizing the corps\u2019 capabilities, proposing to shift border patrol duties to advanced technological systems to allow marines to focus on amphibious operations.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee Jae-myung stands with the Democratic Party flag after his re-election as party leader in Aug. 2024 | Image: Lee Jae-myung via Facebook<\/p><\/div>\n FEASIBILITY AND CHALLENGES<\/b><\/p>\n Yang of Asan noted that transitioning to a four-branch system is nothing new, as past administrations have repeatedly discussed it. However, he pointed out that financial constraints and a lack of manpower have made it \u201ceasier said than done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Marine Corps simply doesn\u2019t have the necessary personnel to justify becoming an independent branch,\u201d Yang said. \u201cWhile the idea itself makes sense in theory, the reality is that it\u2019s not feasible due to budget and manpower limitations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He added that this was precisely why multiple administrations have revisited the proposal over the years but failed to implement it.<\/span><\/p>\n Choi of Sangji University also weighed in, explaining that while the U.S. military operates with separate branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force, this system has faced scrutiny for its challenges in joint operations.<\/span><\/p>\n