Defense chief reiterates need to integrate military academies

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul emphasized the necessity of merging the Army, Navy and Air Force academies into one institution during a meeting with around 60 cadets from those academies at the Korea Military Academy in northern Seoul. The reform, he argued, is crucial for equipping the military to handle future conflicts and enhancing the nation's long-term security.

Kang reiterated his endorsement for creating the proposed National Military Academy, though the exact location has yet to be determined. One cadet pointed out that the reform should be separate from any past misconduct involving Army officers, referencing President Lee Jae Myung's comments in August. Lee had linked graduates of Army academies to previous military coups and called for rapid integration to avert another coup.

The President's remarks were widely seen as a reference to the alleged involvement of military commanders in coup attempts.