Earlier this month, rumors began circulating that "DAPA Commissioner Lee Yong-chul is trying to refuse incoming acquisition specialist officers selected from the Army" and that "there is an attempt to replace the overall agency with civilian civil servants." Given Commissioner Lee's personnel decisions a few months ago—such as appointing an Army colonel as the submarine project manager and an Air Force colonel as the unmanned combat vessel project manager, which seemed to show a lack of regard for military specialization—the rumors drew considerable interest.

Upon checking with the Army and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), however, the rumors turned out to be inaccurate. While it is true that Commissioner Lee made a show of rejecting the Army's acquisition specialist officers, DAPA was well aware that it could not actually turn them down. It was merely a show of resistance, and the commissioner had his reasons.

The trouble began when Army Headquarters sharply reduced the promotion quota for colonel, even though many Army lieutenant colonels serving at DAPA were eligible for advancement. While DAPA retains these Army officers, a reduction in the promotion quota inevitably creates difficulties in managing the organization. As a result, Commissioner Lee's complaint—"How can we accept additional newly commissioned acquisition officers from the Army when we cannot even get the existing ones promoted?"—snowballed into the rumor that "the DAPA commissioner is refusing Army officers." According to data submitted by DAPA to the National Assembly, the Army allocated a colonel promotion quota of just two to DAPA. With 34 Army lieutenant colonels assigned to DAPA, the promotion rate was a mere 5.9%. In contrast, the Army colonel promotion rate at other institutions was 16.8% at the Ministry of National Defense (18 out of 107), 13.6% at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (20 out of 147), and 11.4% at Army Headquarters and related commands (56 out of 491). DAPA's colonel promotion quota fell to less than half of that at other organizations.

Although DAPA has only 12 Air Force lieutenant colonels—a much smaller contingent than the Army's—its colonel promotion quota was three. DAPA's Navy colonel promotion quota was two, the same as the Army's, but the number of Navy lieutenant colonels is smaller than that of the Army. In other words, Army Headquarters allocated a smaller colonel promotion quota to DAPA compared to the headquarters of other branches.

The colonel promotion quota allocated by Army Headquarters to DAPA has never been large. Even so, with the exception of 2024, it had consistently maintained at least three slots. In percentage terms, this year marked an all-time low. Commissioner Lee requested Army Headquarters multiple times to "increase the colonel promotion quota," but Army Headquarters remained unyielding. Under these circumstances, it is fair to say that Army Headquarters is neglecting DAPA. In response, Army Headquarters explained, "In accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and procedures, we conducted a fair selection by comprehensively reviewing the qualifications and expertise of candidates within the scope of vacancies, taking into account the colonel quota and personnel management conditions." To accept Army Headquarters' explanation at face value, a 5.9% promotion rate for Army colonels at DAPA is simply too low. In 2024, it stood at 6.5%. In other years as well, it struggled to surpass 10%. Had they remained with the Army or served at the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Ministry of National Defense, their chances of making colonel would have been around 15%, but once assigned to DAPA, pinning on a colonel's insignia becomes almost like reaching for the stars.

The moment an Army officer enters DAPA under an acquisition specialty, their future effectively turns bleak. Five Army captains were selected as acquisition specialists for the fourth quarter of this year, and three were selected for the first quarter of next year. DAPA also feels apologetic about accepting them. In a sense, it is only natural that Commissioner Lee would remark, "How can we accept new Army acquisition personnel when we cannot even promote them?"

DAPA and Army Headquarters must find a sensible solution. Weapons acquisition, or defense procurement, is a backbone mission of national defense. Allowing capable Army officers to go to DAPA and procure top-tier ground weapons serves both the Army's interests and the nation's security interests. DAPA must pave the way so that Army acquisition officers can fully demonstrate their expertise in strengthening ground forces. There is clearly a win-win path forward for both DAPA and Army Headquarters.