Debate erupts at national audit over plan to allow military academy cadets to smoke

A debate broke out Tuesday at the National Assembly's national audit of the Air Force, held at Gyeryongdae in Gyeryong, over the Defense Ministry's plan to partially allow military academy cadets to smoke.

People Power Party lawmaker Han Ki-ho raised the issue first, saying flatly that tobacco had no place at the military academies. "Smoking must be absolutely prohibited at the academies. If we tear this down, what is left?" Han said, urging Air Force Chief of Staff Son Seok-rak to coordinate with the Defense Ministry and push back against the plan.

Son said the current rules already prohibit cadet smoking, adding that he personally opposes lifting the ban and has conveyed that position to the Defense Ministry.

Jin Sung-joon, the Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who chairs the National Assembly's defense committee, offered a different view. "I am someone who wants to quit smoking myself," Jin said, "but the question is whether, if a cadet smokes based on their own needs and judgment, that should be banned by school rules."

Jin added that smoking is neither illegal nor immoral. "It is a matter of personal taste," he said. "Rather than simply enforcing old customs, we need to ask whether this policy conflicts with human rights, individual choice and personal freedom."

Son acknowledged the issue warranted careful thought. "It is something the academy could consider," he said, "but I also believe cadets must develop sufficient self-discipline — including restraint in the three prohibited areas."

Military academies have long enforced a strict "three prohibitions" regime banning cadets from marriage, drinking and smoking. The rules were eased after critics called them excessively harsh lifestyle restrictions. The ban on drinking was relaxed in 2016 to allow alcohol consumption off campus, provided cadets do not behave in a manner unbecoming of their status.

The Defense Ministry recently decided to revise its regulations to also allow cadets to smoke off campus while in civilian clothes, following a recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. Beyond the smoking change, the ministry said it would also permit cadets to wear civilian clothes as a general rule when going out, allow free use of dormitory facilities during free periods, and simplify procedures for obtaining medical appointments.

The ministry, however, rejected the commission's recommendation to ease or abolish restrictions on marriage and pregnancy, saying such a change would disrupt cadets' daily life and training.