The article discusses a legislative proposal aimed at requiring parliamentary approval for the deployment of individual soldiers, not just military units, to war-torn countries. The proposal was introduced by Choo Mi-ae of the Democratic Party amid the government’s consideration of sending an observer group to Ukraine, which is currently at war with Russia. According to the existing law, the government must obtain parliamentary consent when dispatching troops for peacekeeping operations. However, this is specified for “military units.” The proposed amendment seeks to extend this requirement to include “individual soldiers deployed as part of any formation or alliance.”
The issue arose when the government announced plans to send military personnel to Ukraine, causing controversy. The Ministry of National Defense cited its directive on “overseas deployment of military personnel” to assert that small-scale individual deployments do not require parliamentary approval and can be decided by the Minister of Defense. Choo Mi-ae argues that this matter, which directly impacts the right to life of citizens and national security, should be governed by law rather than departmental directives. She emphasizes the need for consent from the National Assembly, representing the people.