Kang Shin-cheol, a nominee for Minister of National Defense, stated on the 14th regarding the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies being promoted by the Lee Jae Myung government, “The integration of military academies is necessary,” adding, “There are clearly valuable educations that must be shared collectively.”
In written responses submitted to the National Assembly on the 14th, two days before his confirmation hearing, Kang said, “If I assume the role of minister, I will listen to voices from all sectors, including cadets, applicants, and parents, during the process of designing specific plans,” as he explained his stance.
He continued, “I am well aware that there have been many debates for and against the integration plan and that various opinions are being voiced.”
The integration of military academies is a campaign pledge by President Lee Jae Myung. The Ministry of National Defense announced a basic integration plan in July, centered on establishing the ‘National Military Academy’ by integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies. However, concerns have emerged within and outside the military that “this could significantly undermine the expertise and independence of each branch.” Kang is a graduate of the 46th class of the Korea Military Academy (KMA).
Regarding the question, “As a KMA graduate, isn’t pushing for military academy reform a conflict of interest?” Kang responded, “As the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, not as a KMA graduate, I will drive educational system reforms to cultivate defense leaders who will lead victories on future battlefields.”
When asked, “Should the KMA take responsibility for coups led by multiple KMA graduates?” he answered, “This is an issue of specific individuals who participated in the coups, not the entire KMA.”
Earlier, President Lee Jae Myung stated during a defense ministry briefing on the 5th, “The Korea Military Academy was the center of three military coups in South Korea, yet no responsibility has ever been asked.”
Regarding the December 3 emergency martial law declared during the Yoon Suk Yeol government, Kang called it “a clear act of insurrection that violated the constitutional order.” In response to a question about his view of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, he said, “By emphasizing the ‘hostile two states’ policy, it is solidifying the severance of inter-Korean relations and continuously escalating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula by advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities.”
The National Assembly’s Defense Committee is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Kang on the 16th. No witnesses were adopted. It is known that opposition parties, including the People Power Party and the Reform Party, applied for five witnesses and references, but all were opposed by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.
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