Why does Kang Shin-chul support integrating South Korea’s Army, Navy and Air Force academies?

Kang said a single institution would better prepare future officers for evolving warfare and strengthen South Korea’s long-term security. He described the reform as essential to preparing the military for future warfare.

Where would South Korea’s proposed National Military Academy be located, and what is being reconsidered?

The government’s July basic plan envisioned the academy at Jaundae, a military training and education compound in Daejeon, about 140 kilometers south of Seoul. Kang said the location remained under consideration, and the ministry was reportedly weighing whether to retain some Navy and Air Force academy facilities while relocating the Army academy.

How is South Korea gathering views on the military academy integration plan?

Kang met about 60 cadets from the three academies at the Korea Military Academy to hear their views. The ministry also formed a 15-member consultative group, including six academy graduates who will represent those opposed to integration.

Defense chief reiterates need to integrate military academies

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Summary

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul reiterated the need to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force academies during a meeting with about 60 cadets at the Korea Military Academy in northern Seoul on Tuesday. He said the reform would prepare future officers for evolving warfare and strengthen long-term security, while the proposed academy’s location remains under consideration. The government’s July plan envisioned a four-year integrated academy at Jaundae in Daejeon, but the ministry is reportedly considering retaining some Navy and Air Force academy facilities. The ministry also formed a 15-member group to gather views on the proposal.

Key Facts

The July plan called for cadets from all three services to complete four years of education at the new academy.
The ministry is reportedly considering relocating the Army academy while retaining some facilities at the naval and air force academies.
Six of the 15 consultative group members are graduates of the three academies and will represent people opposed to integration.
An Army cadet said education reform should be distinguished from past misconduct by some Army officers.
Kang said he had discussed the plan with President Lee Jae Myung, who recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of service members and cadets.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 10, 2026 9:02 pm KST

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul speaks during an advisory committee meeting on the tentatively named National Military Academy in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul on Tuesday reiterated the need to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force academies into a single institution, saying the reform is essential to preparing the military for future warfare, his office said.

Kang made the remarks during a meeting with about 60 cadets from the three academies at the Korea Military Academy in northern Seoul to gather their views on the government's integration plan.

During the meeting, Kang reiterated his support for establishing the tentatively named National Military Academy to better prepare future officers for evolving warfare and strengthen the country's long-term security.

He added that the location of the proposed academy remained under consideration.

An Army cadet argued that military education reform should be distinguished from past misconduct by some Army officers, citing President Lee Jae Myung's remarks in August linking Army academy graduates to past military coups and calling for swift integration to prevent another coup.

Lee's remarks were widely interpreted as an allusion to military commanders' involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt in December 2024.

Kang said he had discussed the plan with Lee, noting that the president recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of service members and cadets.

Under a basic plan unveiled in July, the government envisioned establishing an integrated military academy at Jaundae, a compound of military training and education facilities in Daejeon, about 140 kilometers south of Seoul.

The original plan called for cadets from all three services to undergo four years of education at the new academy.

Since taking office in September, however, Kang, a graduate of the Korea Military Academy, has signaled a possible revision to the plan.

The ministry is reportedly considering retaining some facilities at the naval and air force academies while relocating the Army academy.

Earlier in the day, the ministry also formed a 15-member consultative group to gather diverse views on the proposal. Six members are graduates of the three military academies, who will represent those opposed to the integration plan.

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