On August 26, a public hearing on the establishment of a military academy held by the Defense Ministry in Yongsan, Seoul, descended into chaos due to mockery, insults, and shouting from opponents.
During the hearing, which was broadcast live by the Defense Media Agency and on YouTube, Kim Hong-cheol, head of the Defense Policy Office, urged attendees to remain calm, stating, "This public hearing is not for alumni but for the citizens." However, the event could not avoid disruption.
The Defense Ministry has been gathering feedback following the release of its basic plan in July to establish a four-year military academy that integrates the Army, Navy, and Air Force at the Jowon base in Daejeon. This was the first public hearing since the announcement, but it failed to foster productive discussion.
A retired colonel took the stage 10 minutes before the hearing began, shouting, "The materials prepared by the Defense Ministry are already known, so please extend the Q&A session." Despite officials and the moderator repeatedly requesting restraint, protests continued.
An individual believed to be a member of the alumni association stood up and shouted, "Kim Gyu-baek, come here," demanding the attendance of Minister An, who was absent from the hearing. One attendee attempted to approach Kim with an open bottle of water during his presentation but was stopped by officials.
The hearing proceeded with Kim's welcoming remarks and policy explanations, followed by expert discussions and a Q&A session. Kim explained, "This is not a one-sided presentation of policies prepared by the Defense Ministry, but a forum to contemplate the future direction of national defense education with the public."
Kim noted that advanced science and technology are fundamentally changing the nature of warfare and the military's role, emphasizing the need for fundamental discussions on how to train future officers and innovate the paradigm of defense education.
The discussion continued under the moderation of Professor Lim Cheol-il from Seoul National University. Supporters of the military academy integration included Professor Choi Young-jin, chair of the Military Academy Education Reform Committee, Doo Jin-ho, head of the Eurasia Center at the Korea Institute for Strategic Studies, and Jin Ho-young, a former defense reform advisory member (retired Air Force brigadier general). The opposition panel included retired Air Force Brigadier General Kang Byeong-cheol, retired Navy Colonel Jo Gi-hong, and retired Army Major Kim Se-jin, recommended by the alumni associations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies.
About 300 attendees, who registered on a first-come, first-served basis, erupted in applause and cheers each time the moderator introduced a member of the opposition panel. The hearing was also attended by lawmakers, including Han Gi-ho of the People Power Party and Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party.
Earlier, the Defense Ministry announced plans to operate a four-year military academy that integrates the military academies of each branch in Daejeon. The first two years will involve integrated education, while the last two years will allow for specialized training in each branch.
Supporters argue that integrating the military academies will enable cadets to learn the tactics and weapon systems of each branch from the start, thereby enhancing the necessary skills for joint operations. They contend that, given the declining birth rate and decreasing applications to military academies, it is essential to integrate military education infrastructure now to maximize operational efficiency. Opponents, however, argue that conducting integrated education without establishing the specialties of each branch could negatively impact joint operations.
Professor Choi emphasized the need for educational reform, citing a 2024 satisfaction survey conducted by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, which found that only 25.2% of respondents rated military academy education positively. In contrast, a 2022 study indicated a satisfaction rate of 74.1% for universities in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Retired Army Major Kim Se-jin stated, "Until the government answers questions such as 'What is the future military structure and officer requirements for 2040?' and 'Is there empirical evidence that integration improves jointness?' legislation should not be pushed through."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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