Defense chief signals potential shift in plans to integrate military academies

The Korea Times - Nov 9, 2026

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday the government may review the location of an envisioned integrated military academy, signaling a shift in its push to establish a single institution in the central city of Daejeon amid a backlash. Kang made the remarks in a meeting with the leaders of alumni associations of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the defense ministry's plan to integrate their academies has faced pushback from graduates and reserve forces. Under the basic plan unveiled in July, the government plans to set up a single military academy at Jaundae, a compound of military training and education facilities in Daejeon, about 140 kilometers south of Seoul. "What I can say for certain is that we are not trying to abolish each military academy," Kang said. "Education specific to each military branch surely must be in place, so long as we do not form a unified force," he added. In particular, the defense chief said he is ready to accommodate various more opinions in terms of the location of an envisioned school. The defense chief has repeatedly hinted at partly revising the gover

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