Air Force officer gives humanities lectures

Air Force 1st Lt. Jung Sang-keun gives a humanities lecture at the headquarters of the Air Force in Gyeryongdae. / Courtesy of Air Force

By Kang Seung-woo

The military is a community.

That is why Air Force 1st Lt. Jung Sang-keun gives a biweekly video lecture on the humanities, which he believes will help people in the military understand each other.

“The humanities are academic disciplines that study human life without being limited to a specific part. No one can live without learning about the humanities,” said Jung.

He gave three reasons in explaining why studying the humanities is important.

“First, studying the humanities helps develop our capability to understand others. Second, it helps us analyze the situations that we face,” he said.

“Lastly, it helps develop creativity. These are the reasons that the humanities are a leading area of study.”

Interest in the humanities has been sweeping the nation of late, except in the military.

Consequently, in July Jung decided to start a video lecture series to teach those serving in the Air Force.

His 15-minute lectures are delivered during the first and third weeks of the month through the Air Force’s intranet.

The responses of the soldiers to the video lectures have exceeded Jung’s expectations.

“The entire Air Force has more than 60,000 members, but one of my lectures has already garnered more than 80,000 views,” he said.

Jung, who earned a doctoral degree in sociology at Kyunghee University, said his early career as a child actor and an academic instructor contributed to his desire to deliver the lectures.

Recently, the nation’s military has been criticized for its hazing culture.

Earlier this year, a soldier, identified only as Pfc. Yoon, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of his peers. The investigation into his death wrapped up before a civic group blew the whistle and exposed the truth. In another incident, the son of Gyeonggi Gov. Nam Kyung-pil was investigated for repeated sexually harassment of a junior soldier.

Jung hopes that his humanities lectures will contribute to improving the military culture.

“Modern society, which stresses speed and efficiency, prevents people from finding time for reflection about themselves and others. I want my lectures on the humanities to give soldiers the time to take a good look at themselves,” he said.