Military to operate 'experimental' unit to test-drive restructuring

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, June 28 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean military will set up an
"experimental" unit to test-drive new policies that aim to build a more
streamlined fighting force, a government source said Sunday.
The regiment-size unit will adopt new organization structures, weaponry and
tactics ahead of other units, according to the defense ministry official.
Its creation is part of a plan that "will be completed by 2020, and calls for
sweeping changes to personnel, weaponry, tactics and budget allocation that need
to be tested thoroughly beforehand to reduce complications," said the official,
who asked to remain anonymous.
"The new unit will also engage in joint operations with other Army units along
with those from the Air Force and Navy to test how well it can act as a cohesive
force to deter foreign aggression," the official said.
Under the defense reform plan, Seoul plans to overhaul the number of corps,
divisions and brigades and bases scattered around the country.
By the target year, the number of military bases will be slashed from 1,800 at
present to around 850, with corps being reduced from 10 to seven. Divisions will
also be cut from 47 to 28, although brigades are to be increased to 24 from 16 at
present.
The official said the measures will make the country's military more agile and
improve its ability respond to modern-day threats
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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