DP, gov't agree to launch unified 4-year national military academy in Daejeon

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the government agreed Thursday to establish a four-year national military academy integrating the Army, Navy and Air Force academies at the Jaundae military complex in Daejeon.

The decision was made during a policy consultation between Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, DP interim leader and floor leader Han Byung-do and other officials. The session, convened at the National Assembly in western Seoul, was to deliberate on plans to build smart military forces and create the new academy.

"The new national military academy will be established at the Jaundae military complex in Daejeon," Ahn said during a briefing. "The area is the heart of Korea's science and technology sector, with an ideal intellectual foundation that includes KAIST, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.”

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Ahn pledged to reform the curriculum to balance academic flexibility with specialized military training.

"The national military academy will adopt a flexible academic system designed to help every cadet reach their full potential," the defense minister said. "Its curriculum will combine specialized armed service-specific training with an education that fosters a global outlook."

Located in Yuseong District, Daejeon, the Jaundae military complex serves as one of the country's main military education and training hubs. It is home to the Army college, the Navy college, the Air Force college and the Joint Forces Military College, among other officer training institutions.

BY JEONG HYE-JEONG [[email protected]]