ID :
177226
Fri, 04/22/2011 - 10:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/177226
The shortlink copeid
Bill giving Marine Corps more power clears first parliamentary hurdle
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- A parliamentary committee approved Friday a bill that would give more command authority and some operational independence to the Marine Corps, clearing its first hurdle on its way to becoming law.
The 12-member defense committee of the National Assembly voted eight in favor and two opposed with two abstentions, the committee said in a statement, sending the bill to the judiciary committee before a final vote by the entire legislature.
The bill was introduced at the National Assembly in July in the wake of North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island last November that killed two Marines and two civilians.
The bill also clarified that "landing operations are the main mission of the Marine Corps" and it should be equipped with necessary weapons for such operations, according to the statement.
The North's bombardment laid bare weaknesses of the South's defense posture, prompting the military to deploy more weapons and troops to the five islands near the Yellow Sea border, including Yeonpyeong. Marine units are dedicated to protecting the islands.
Once a separate branch of the South's military, the Marine Corps became a part of the Navy in 1973. As Navy commanders have most of the power in allocating budgets and managing personnel, Marine commanders have little room to examine matters pertaining to their own corps.
The Marine chief is not a member of the four-member Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the military's top command structure. The JCS consists of a chairman and three top commanders from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
If passed, the bill would allow the Marine chief to become a member of the JCS and have the power to manage Marine officers and non-commissioned officers, officials said.
The 12-member defense committee of the National Assembly voted eight in favor and two opposed with two abstentions, the committee said in a statement, sending the bill to the judiciary committee before a final vote by the entire legislature.
The bill was introduced at the National Assembly in July in the wake of North Korea's shelling of Yeonpyeong Island last November that killed two Marines and two civilians.
The bill also clarified that "landing operations are the main mission of the Marine Corps" and it should be equipped with necessary weapons for such operations, according to the statement.
The North's bombardment laid bare weaknesses of the South's defense posture, prompting the military to deploy more weapons and troops to the five islands near the Yellow Sea border, including Yeonpyeong. Marine units are dedicated to protecting the islands.
Once a separate branch of the South's military, the Marine Corps became a part of the Navy in 1973. As Navy commanders have most of the power in allocating budgets and managing personnel, Marine commanders have little room to examine matters pertaining to their own corps.
The Marine chief is not a member of the four-member Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the military's top command structure. The JCS consists of a chairman and three top commanders from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
If passed, the bill would allow the Marine chief to become a member of the JCS and have the power to manage Marine officers and non-commissioned officers, officials said.
