Defense chief signals potential shift in plans to integrate military academies
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday the government may review the location of an envisioned integrated military academy, signaling a shift in its push to establish a single institution in the central city of Daejeon amid a backlash. Kang made the remarks in a meeting with the leaders of alumni associations of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the defense ministry's plan to integrate their…
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul hinted on Monday that the government might reconsider the site for the planned integrated military academy, indicating a possible change in the government's approach to establishing a single institution in Daejeon. This announcement came during a meeting with leaders from the alumni associations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The defense ministry's proposal to merge the academies of these branches has encountered resistance from graduates and reserve personnel. The initial plan, announced in July, aimed to place the single military academy at Jaundae, a complex encompassing military training and education facilities in Daejeon, located roughly 140 kilometers south of Seoul.
Kang emphasized that the objective is not to dismantle each military academy, stating, "What I can say for certain is that we are not trying to abolish each military academy." He clarified that specialized education for each branch must be maintained, emphasizing, "Education specific to each military branch surely must be in place, so long as we do not form a unified force."
Kang indicated his openness to consider alternative opinions regarding the academy's location, noting that he is prepared to modify certain aspects of the original plan.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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