Kang calls KMA relocation 'one of several options'; Cheon asks why only the army academy

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday that relocating the Korea Military Academy is "one of several options under consideration," prompting Reform Party lawmaker Cheon Ha-ram to question why only the army academy would be moved while the naval and air force academies remain in place — and to raise allegations that the plan amounts to a politically motivated "punitive relocation" driven by the president's wishes.

At a budget deliberation session of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee on Monday, Cheon asked Kang whether the Korea Military Academy was planned for relocation to Sejong. Kang said, "We are reviewing various options. Nothing has been decided yet."

Kang left open the possibility of a move, saying discussions about relocating the academy had been ongoing well before the current administration.

On the question of relocation costs, Kang said he was reluctant to answer based on hypotheticals, but added, "It could be handled through a donation-and-transfer arrangement or a sale. If various approaches are taken, I think the budget required could be minimal."

When Cheon pressed further — asking whether the plan involved developing the current Korea Military Academy site and whether building apartments there was also an option — Kang softened. "That is not something in my options. I said it was one hypothetical because you asked. That is not my thinking," he said.

The Defense Ministry had originally planned to release a basic proposal for a unified military academy by October. When Cheon pointed out that the deadline had passed, Kang said, "The minister has changed, so I would appreciate some understanding on that — we need to review things again." He also declined to give a direct answer when asked whether the ruling party and government would reach a conclusion at a senior-level meeting.

Asked why the naval and air force academies would stay in their current locations while only the Korea Military Academy would be relocated, Kang said, "Since nothing has been decided, I do not think I can explain the reasons at this point."

Cheon said he hoped the reason for moving only the Korea Military Academy was not political. "As the president has suggested, the idea seems to be that KMA graduates carried out a coup and the academy must be punished — but eliminating it entirely would go too far," Cheon said. "If the discussion is heading toward a '1+2+1' arrangement and relocation as a compromise, that would be deeply problematic."

Cheon also raised concerns about funding. "Whether it is Jaundae or a new unified military academy, new facilities will need to be built — and if the Korea Military Academy is also rebuilt on top of that without sufficient budget support, the public will not easily accept it," he said.

Kang said the relocation of the Korea Military Academy had been discussed since previous administrations and that he was listening to a range of views. "I hope that the joint education and future warfare preparedness issues you raised will be reflected in the budget through our joint efforts," he said.