SK Telecom to build 'smart' Korea Military Academy

A cadet at the Korea Military Academy goes through shooting training with a VR-based simulator. / Courtesy of SK Telecom

By Jun Ji-hye

SK Telecom will build a "smart" Korea Military Academy (KMA), featuring high-end fifth-generation (5G) networks, enabling cadets to conduct military exercises using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology, the nation's top mobile carrier said Monday.

Under a business agreement, SK Telecom and the Army's elite school will cooperate in developing a smart KMA with 5G networks and other cutting-edge information and communications technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), AR, VR, the internet of things, cloud computing and big data.

The two parties will also cooperate in carrying out studies on quantum cryptography and drone technologies.

For the first task, SK Telecom plans to install 5G infrastructure throughout the KMA within the first half of the year.

Once this is completed, the KMA will evolve into a smart military academy, in which advanced technologies based on 5G networks are implemented in all areas such as military exercises, fitness management, study and facility management.

The most notable change will be the implementation of a military training system using VR and AR technology. The system will be composed of VR-based shooting and tactical training simulators, AR-based command and control simulators and training effect analysis systems.

Technologies will also change cadets' fitness management and study environment.

Cadets will wear devices and be offered their fitness data analyzed by AI and big data technology. This will provide them with consistent and systematic fitness information, the telecom firm said.

Smart lecture rooms will also be built, offering varied programs such as lectures with VR and AR-based content. After lectures, an AI assistant will manage the study schedules of each cadet.

SK Telecom and the KMA will continue to expand interchange of technology and jointly host industry-university seminars to create new cooperation models in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

"SK Telecom will join forces in leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the realm of defense," said Choi Il-gyu, who is in charge of SK Telecom's business-to-business services.

KMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Chung Jin-kyung said, "The KMA, which nurtures the most elite military officers, will become a first mover that leads the future of our military."

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