Political Warfare Bureau,M.N.DPostDate: 2022/06/28

In response to media reports that "The National Security Council intervened with the authority of the commander-in-chief," the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (28^th) that such reports are inaccurate and clarifies as follows:

1. According to our national defense system, the President enjoys command over the army, navy and air force of the entire country. Since the President is the commander-in-chief of the three armed forces, the President exercises authority as the commander-in-chief and instructs the Minister of National Defense, who subsequently orders the Chief of General Staff to execute commands. To action major national defense policies in relation to national security, or to manage major national defense emergencies, the President may convene a national security meeting.

2. Both the National Security Council and the MND are important members of the national security team. Given the context of "One team, One goal", both the National Security Council and the MND strive to collaborate to enhance national defense capabilities and strengthen national security. As such, there is never such a situation of anyone "intervening with the authority of the commander-in-chief" so this statement is misleading.

3. The MND calls on the media exercise their best efforts to verify the facts prior to publishing reports so as not to mislead the public.