National Security Council of Mongolia


The National Security Council of Mongolia is a consultative body to the Office of the President of Mongolia. It focuses mainly on briefing high-ranking national security and/or political figures on the state of internal and external threats in Mongolia. It also advises the President in his/her orders to the Mongolian Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defense and the National Police Agency under the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs. The NSC is affiliated with the larger Security and Foreign Policy Council and the Information and Analytical Council, the latter of which is composed of former politicians, military leaders, diplomats, and academics and intellectual experts.
Besides executive leadership of the council by the President as chairman, the post of Secretary of the NSC advises the president in relation to the main missions of the NSC and coordinates work on preparatory decisions and discussions for the council.

History, status, and role

An article in the newly introduced Constitution of Mongolia stated that the President will be the chairman of the National Security Council. On 29 May, the State Great Khural established the NSC by adopting the National Security Council Law. This law defined the principles, powers, and functions of the NSC. It held its first meeting in August of that year under the chairmanship of President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat, and later in July, saw the appointment of Jargalsaikhany Enkhsaikhan as secretary. In 1994, the National Security Concept was established to charter the conditions and situations that the security of Mongolia is in. Over the years, the concept has been renewed multiple times, more recently in July 2010.
In March 2019, the NSC became involved in a national constitutional crisis when the State Great Khural adopted an unprecedented law on the proposal of President Khaltmaagiin Battulga on the 27th of that month, which effectively gave the NSC the power to recommend the firing of judges, prosecutors, and the leaders in the Anti-Corruption Agency. The opposition Democratic Party, as well as some dissenting voices in the ruling Mongolian People's Party criticized the law as an attempt to seize state power and undermine democracy, while lawyers and former MPs protested by affirming that it is not a constitutional body.

Composition

The NSC is composed of the following permanent members:
The following officials shall attend an NSC meeting with advisory rights:
Cabinet ministers and Chief of the General Staff also give presentations to the NSC. The Executive Office of the NSC supports the NSC's members in fulfilling their duties and organizes joint-government institutions in implementing national security policy.

Secretaries of the NSC

  • Ravdangiin Bataa
  • Jargalsaikhany Enhsaikhan
  • Choisürengiin Baatar
  • Ravdangiin Bold
  • Dugerjavyn Gotov
  • Palamyn Sündev  
  • Manibadrakhyn Ganbold
  • Tsagaandariin Enkhtüvshin
  • Amarjargalyn Gansükh
  • Jadambyn Enkhbayar
  • Altangereliin Byambajargal