Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon strongly criticized President Lee Jae-myung's initiative to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, stating it threatens the long-term national security strategy and undermines the officer training system.
In a Facebook post on July 5, Mayor Oh emphasized that the officer training system is crucial for national security and should not be pursued solely to fulfill a presidential campaign promise without thorough review and public consensus.
He particularly warned against compromising the expertise and identity that each military branch has developed over time under the guise of enhancing joint operations.
Citing examples from the United States, he noted that major military powers prioritize joint operations while still maintaining separate Army, Navy, and Air Force academies. "Jointness is achieved through collaboration based on each branch's expertise, not by merging schools," he argued.
Mayor Oh likened this to the idea that while comprehensive arts are important, art schools, music schools, and physical education schools should not be combined.
"If the relocation of the Army Academy is tied to Taereung development, more caution is needed"
He also expressed concerns about the potential connection between the academy integration discussions and housing supply at Taereung CC.
"If the integration of military academies is being considered to facilitate the relocation of the Army Academy for housing supply at Taereung CC, we must proceed with extreme caution," he stated, adding that the opinions of local residents are paramount.
He stressed that decisions regarding the development of Taereung CC or the relocation of the Army Academy should not be made unilaterally by the central government. A thorough review of the impacts on living conditions, transportation, education, culture, and the environment must precede any decisions, and the process should ensure community understanding and agreement.
Mayor Oh pointed out that Taereung and Hwarangdae are symbolic spaces that embody nearly 80 years of history and tradition of the Republic of Korea's military, serving as important security assets for Seoul. "Once damaged, it is difficult to restore," he warned.
"Security assets should not be used as a pretext for housing supply"
He linked his criticism to the government's housing supply policies, stating that while increasing housing supply is important, the officer training system, which is fundamental to national security, should not be used as a means to increase housing numbers. He argued that pushing for the consolidation of military academies and the relocation of the Army Academy without adequate deliberation is not a responsible decision for future generations.
He added that the views of cadets and active-duty soldiers, who are directly affected by these policies, must also be adequately reflected.
"Restoring military morale should come first"
Mayor Oh emphasized that structural reforms aimed at enhancing military competitiveness should take precedence over the integration of military academies. He stated that restoring military morale, which has been shaken by declining recruitment rates, talent outflow, and issues related to service conditions and treatment, is a more urgent task. "We must create an environment where young talents can take pride in choosing a military career; that is true military reform," he said.
He reiterated, "Military morale must be restored for national security to thrive," emphasizing that enhancing the officer training system is more critical than undermining it through consolidation.
Mayor Oh's remarks come as the government is considering the integration of military academies and the potential restructuring of the officer training system, suggesting ongoing political debates surrounding security policies and housing supply in the metropolitan area are likely to continue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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