(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Hyo-jeong and Kim Cheol-seon of the Ministry of National Defense Joint Reporting Team = Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol met with cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies on the 10th and began to persuade them of the need to establish a military academy for integrated education.
Minister Kang visited the Military Academy located in Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu this afternoon and held a meeting for about an hour with about 60 cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
At the meeting, which was fully open to the media, questions from cadets were asked relatively unfiltered, including those critical of the integration of military academies. Various questions were raised about the legitimacy of relocating the Military Academy and the need for integrated education in the name of strengthening jointness, and Minister Kang took the microphone below the podium and answered.
A first-year military academy cadet recalled President Lee Jae-myung's statement last August that "those from the military academy carried out a military coup" and pointed out, "We must distinguish between the mistakes of some personnel in the past and the current reform of the military academy's education system."
Then, Minister Kang said, "I had a lot of conversations" with President Lee about this issue, and President Lee also emphasized, "I have respect for the dedication of soldiers, including those in the Korean Military Academy, and for those who are growing up in the Korean Military Academy."
In response to what a fourth-year military academy cadet said, repeatedly pointing out, "If (military academies) are integrated, cadets and those on the path to becoming officers will feel that the mistakes made by their past seniors will be returned to them," Minister Kang responded, "I will also carefully consider and think about it."
Opinion from military academy cadets was also expressed regarding the possibility of the military academy leaving the current Taereung Hwarangdae and moving to a local area.
One military academy cadet said, “The history of Hwarangdae is in itself the identity of our military academy cadets,” and asked Minister Kang to “protect the honor, pride, tradition, and identity of the cadets.”
Minister Kang partially acknowledged that “we are considering the location issue, including the military headquarters,” but asked, “Did the construction fail because we went down to Cheongju (from Daebang-dong, Dongjak-gu)?”
Minister Kang also spoke passionately about the need for change in the culture of the existing military academies in each military, saying, "The culture of jockeys is important, but if this continues, the military will not be able to develop."
He said, "You must keep your head awake. If you do not break your own head and the future is rigid, there is a fear that talented people will not come out," and pointed out, "Stiffness is the most harmful effect of military academy education."
Citing the Israeli army as an example, he explained, "(On the outside) it is an
He continued, "Because I am the best, because the sea is the best, and because the sky is the best, nothing else comes in. Even if it seems like it is acknowledged on the outside, it is not true on the inside. I was like that and so were my seniors," and emphasized, "This part needs to change now."
In addition, when asked to conduct a survey of all Army, Navy, and Civil Service cadets and make the results public, he responded, "We have issued instructions (to do so). We will analyze and announce it."
Prior to the cadet meeting on this day, Minister Kang held a private meeting with the military academy principal and listened to their opinions.
Minister Kang, who took office last September, has been reviewing ways to supplement the existing government plan to establish a military academy that integrates the army, navy, and construction at Jaundae and educate cadets there for four years. The meeting between cadets and the academy principal on this day was part of a gathering of opinions for this purpose.
It has been reported that Navy and Air Force cadets will receive military-specific training at existing maritime and construction facilities in Jinhae and Cheongju, respectively, and that the military is considering moving the military to regional areas. It is known that several sites in the Chungcheong area are being considered as relocation sites for the military headquarters.
In addition, there is a possibility of revising the existing basic plan at Jaun University to provide common knowledge education for 1st and 2nd year students and education tailored to each group for 3rd and 4th year students.
It is reported that the so-called '1+2+1' curriculum, which provides integrated education in the 1st and 4th grades and individual education in the 2nd and 3rd grades, or vice versa, is being strongly considered.
