By Jun Ji-hye
The competition among women to become cadets at the Korea Military Academy (KMA) hit a record high ratio this year, according to the school, Wednesday.
KMA said it has selected a total of 310 students, including 30 women, who will enter the academy next year. The overall competition rate was at 22:1 ― 19.1:1 among men applicants and 49.5:1 among women.
The competition rate for women was the highest since the school began accepting women in 1998.
Last year, the overall competition was 18.6:1, and competition for entrance among women stood at 40.4:1.
Competition for admission to the ROK Naval Academy and the ROK Air Force Academy for women was the second highest of all time at 60:1 and 69.2:1, respectively.
The schools attributed the high competition among women who want to become military officers to job stability amid the high youth unemployment rate.
KMA said its successful applicants will enter the academy on Jan. 22 for four weeks of basic training. The official entrance ceremony will take place on Feb. 22.
The Naval Academy announced a total of 170 students including 17 women with an overall acceptance rate of 25:1. The acceptance ratio for women was 60:1, the second highest after 65:1 in 2013.
The Air Force Academy also announced a total of 185 successful applicants including 18 women for admission to the academy next year.
The overall competition ratio was 32:1, while competition among women was 69.2:1, the second highest after last year’s 72.1:1.
An Air Force official said, “The criteria for women entering the Air Force Academy are especially rigorous as their entrance to the academy leads the way for them to become pilots.”
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