Korea's defense ministry is moving to take over some key roles of the country's defense acquisition agency, stoking fears that the changes could undermine transparency in arms acquisitions and defense projects, officials said Wednesday.
According to the officials, the Cabinet passed a revision bill on transfer of authority to test and evaluate defense capability improvement projects to the defense ministry. The National Assembly must pass the bill in order for it to take effect.
Under the revision bill, the defense minister is also in charge of mapping out test plans for arms and mid-term military projects.
A similar revision bill was submitted to the National Assembly last year for approval, but was scrapped as it failed to pass through a National Assembly committee.
Concerns are rising that the move could reduce the role of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The DAPA was set up in 2006 as part of efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency in buying arms and carrying out military projects. (Yonhap)