Military Academy Alumni Oppose 'Hasty' Integration Plan, Cite Security Risks

The Alumni Association of the Korea Military Academy (KMA) has voiced strong opposition to the Ministry of National Defense's plan to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies. The association argues that the proposed consolidation, which would create a unified "National Service Academy" with common education for the first two years and specialized training thereafter, is being pushed forward hastily without adequate research or military-academic verification.

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We express deep concern that the hasty promotion of the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies will weaken national security.

In a statement released to the press, the KMA Alumni Association expressed deep concern that this "hasty" integration could weaken national security. They contend that the development of elite officers, crucial for modern warfare driven by advanced technology, is directly linked to national survival. The association criticizes the Ministry of National Defense for proceeding with the plan without thorough objective research, military-academic verification, or genuine communication with experts.

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The Ministry of National Defense is pushing for the integration and consolidation of service academies in a unilateral and hasty manner without objective research, military-academic verification, or serious communication with experts.

Furthermore, the alumni association raised concerns about the potential relocation of the KMA from its current site in Nowon-gu, Seoul, to Jangseong County in South Jeolla Province. This move, reportedly being considered within the Ministry, would place the academy near Sangmudae, a base hosting five Army branch schools. The association believes such a relocation would degrade the quality of the educational infrastructure, hindering the recruitment of talented individuals and faculty, and limiting educational exchanges.

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The integration and relocation of service academies are critical issues that shake the foundation of national security and the framework for nurturing elite officers, thus requiring prior review and social consensus.

A civic group, the "Citizens' Federation to Protect the Future of National Defense," composed of KMA cadets' parents and others, echoed these concerns. They issued a statement calling for a "thorough review and social consensus" on the academy integration and KMA relocation, deeming them critical issues that could shake the foundation of national security and the system for training elite officers. Both groups stressed that the voices of cadets and military personnel, the primary stakeholders and potential victims of these policy changes, must be given absolute priority.

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Above all, the voices of cadets and military personnel, who could be direct stakeholders and victims of the policy, must be absolutely reflected.