Korean new counterintelligence agency takes offThe Korean Ministry of National Defense (MnD) on Monday launched a new counterintelligence agency aimed at replacing a controversial former unit accused of domestic spying for its poltical masters. The new defense counterintelligence agency will take over some of the core functions of the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC). Replacing controversial Defense Counterintelligence CommandThe DCC has often been criticized for wielding excessive powers through its unique intelligence-gathering roles and has undergone a series of reform efforts under previous administrations. "What we are breaking away from today is the dark past of the counterintelligence agency," Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said during a launch ceremony, referring to how the command was often blamed for political interference under the past administrations, according to an official release Monday. Ahn said that the new counterintelligence headquarters will serve as a specialized organization "solely dedicated to its original missions," calling on agency officials to work for the public.