The chairs of the alumni groups for the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies visited the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 12th to voice their disapproval of the “hasty integration of military academies” to Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. The alumni associations of the three institutions started collective efforts last month with a “National Rally Against the Consolidation of Military Academies” held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido on August 8, but this marked the first time the chairs met the defense minister directly to express their concerns.
Park Pan-jun, president of the Korea Military Academy Alumni Association (a retired colonel), Lee Beom-rim, president of the Naval Academy Alumni Association (a retired lieutenant general), and Hwang Sung-jin, president of the Air Force Academy Alumni Association (a retired lieutenant general), met with Minister Ahn for approximately an hour in the reception room of the Ministry of National Defense building that afternoon. Park was dressed in a black suit and black tie. “The Korea Military Academy is scheduled to close, so we are in a state of mourning. Until this matter is resolved, we will continue to wear mourning attire and carry out all official activities in this manner,” Park stated.
At the meeting, the chairs of the alumni association reportedly shared internal and external military issues, stating that the merging of the academies was being advanced unilaterally without enough agreement from current and former military members or the general population. The environment was characterized by the chairs speaking mostly while Minister Ahn listened and recorded notes.
Park Pan-jun reportedly mentioned President Lee Jae Myung’s comments during a defense ministry meeting on August 5, where the president emphasized the need for quick integration of the three academies and noted, “The Korea Military Academy was central to three military coups in South Korea, yet no one faced consequences.” Following the meeting, Park told journalists, “Although it was claimed that those involved in the coups were not punished, they actually were. President Chun Doo-hwan is not interred in a national cemetery, and all relevant individuals had their medals stripped and were disciplined. How many younger officers endured hardship and had to leave their military careers because of the December 3rd martial law?”
Park stated, “Even if the academy had participated in coups, what wrongdoing have the current cadets committed?” He asked for a meeting with the president, saying, “If the integration happens because of the martial law forces, I will sincerely apologize to the president on behalf of the Korea Military Academy Alumni Association and request an opportunity to meet.” If given the chance to meet, he intends to encourage the president to “take a step back, as merging the academies is unjustified.”
At the meeting, Lee Beom-rim, head of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, reportedly stated, “The Navy was founded right after liberation in 1945, which means the Naval Academy has a long history. There is no justification for facing disciplinary closure without reason. No naval academy anywhere in the world is situated far from the coast.” The Ministry of National Defense recently unveiled a preliminary plan to create a “National Military Academy” in Jaundae, Daejeon, an inland region.
Hwang Sung-jin, head of the Air Force Academy Alumni Association, reportedly said, “Attracting talent isn’t solved through integration but by enhancing conditions. Instead of physically combining in the short term, a virtual campus should be established for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, allowing cadets to interact and learn collectively.”
Right after the one-hour meeting, statements from the chairs of the alumni association and the Ministry of National Defense differed. The chairs stated, “The minister pledged to examine continuing the existing academy system while exploring educational reforms as a possible choice.” They saw this as Minister Ahn agreeing to evaluate keeping things as they are.
However, the ministry clarified, “It is not accurate that the current system is being reviewed.” Minister Ahn merely mentioned, “We will consider different viewpoints with an open mind.” The ministry further stated, “In establishing the National Military Academy as the base, we will take into account the opinions raised to achieve the most effective military academy reform.”
A representative from the alumni association who was present at the meeting stated, “During the conversation, it was difficult to dismiss the uncertainty about whether Minister Ahn possesses the necessary seriousness or expertise to handle such an important responsibility. It seemed he lacked authority, which is why we asked for a meeting with the president.” Cheong Wa Dae has not yet arranged such a meeting.
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