Korea Military Academy alone to move to Chungcheong region under compromise plan; 1.5 trillion won earmarked
Advisory committee launches amid cadet opposition, with 6 members who oppose consolidation
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has reportedly briefed the National Assembly on a compromise plan to establish an integrated military academy headquarters at Jaundae in Daejeon, while relocating only the Korea Military Academy to the Chungcheong region.
The Defense Ministry said Wednesday that "the fundamental principle and commitment to establishing an integrated military academy remains unchanged," adding that "details such as the curriculum have not been finalized."
The revised master plan for the integrated military academy would place the Army, Navy and Air Force academies under a unified institution. Under a "1+2+1" structure, first- and fourth-year cadets would study at the integrated headquarters, while second- and third-year cadets would train at their respective service academies. Cadets who complete their first year of integrated training would reportedly have the option to switch branches. A new graduate school offering master's and doctoral programs would also be established.
The rationale for relocating the Korea Military Academy includes its proximity to the integrated headquarters and the ongoing relocation of central government agencies to Sejong. The Navy and Air Force academies would remain at their current locations, given the specialized training conditions each branch requires. The estimated cost is about 1.5 trillion won ($1.12 billion), roughly 1.2 trillion won less than the full consolidation plan proposed in July, which was projected at 2.7 trillion won. Of the revised total, about 780 billion won would go toward building the new integrated headquarters and about 440 billion won toward relocating the Korea Military Academy. The plan would apply to students entering in 2029, and reportedly includes a schedule to introduce a bill establishing the integrated military academy in the National Assembly this month, following consultations between the ruling party and the government.
The Defense Ministry said it plans to "finalize and announce a revised master plan after gathering opinions from all sectors, and to push forward follow-up implementation procedures swiftly and without wavering."
Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul met with 60 cadets from all three service academies at the Korea Military Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday. The cadets voiced opposition, arguing that "joint operational capability can be strengthened without consolidation." Kang said the ministry "is considering the question of location — including that of the Korea Military Academy," and added that "neither the 2+2 nor the 1+2+1 structure has been decided."
On the same day, the Defense Ministry held the inauguration and first meeting of a civilian advisory committee on the integrated military academy at the Defense Convention center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Fifteen experts were appointed across five areas — organizational management, curriculum, advanced infrastructure, legal review and youth advisory — six of whom are academy alumni who have opposed the consolidation plan.
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