| Agency Name: | Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea |
| Nativename A: | 대한민국 국방부 |
| Nativename R: | Daehanminguk Gukbangbu |
| Seal: | Emblem of the Ministry of National Defense (South Korea).svg |
| Jurisdiction: | Government of South Korea |
| Headquarters: | 22, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Budget: | ₩57.01 trillion (2023)[1] |
| Minister1 Name: | Kim Yong-hyun |
| Deputyminister1 Name: | Kim Seon-ho |
| Child1 Agency: | Defense Acquisition Program Administration |
| Child2 Agency: | Military Manpower Administration |
| Website: | Official MND website in English Official MND website in Korean |
| Rr: | Daehanminguk Gukbangbu |
| Mr: | Taehanmin'guk Kukpangbu |
The Ministry of National Defense (MND,) is a department within the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and responsible for the military branches of South Korea.
The Ministry of National Defense was established on 15 August 1948[2] and located at Yongsan-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul.[3] It was established following the foundation of ROK in 1948, superseding the (DIS, Korean: 국내경비부) in charge of Southern Korean armed forces under the United States Army Military Government (USAMGIK) during the Allied occupation era. During Coup d'état of December Twelfth, ministry was occupied by 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade commanded by Park Hee-do.[4] In 2018, the Ministry has agreed to respect the results from its Special Investigation Committee on Gwangju Uprising in which MD Helicopters MD 500 and UH-1H were used to fire on protesting citizens.[5]
The Ministry of National Defense is allegedly active in military-level censorship such as book banning[6] and screening of mobile apps[7] within the military hierarchy.
In April 2024, South Korean and the UK navies conducted joint patrols around the Korean Peninsula to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The mission aimed to intercept illicit shipping, following the Downing Street Accord signed by the leaders earlier. Canada and New Zealand also contributed to sanctions enforcement in the region. However, challenges arose, with Russia vetoing a resolution to renew the panel monitoring sanctions enforcement against North Korea.[8]