Key facts
- Military academy merger plan delayed due to ongoing deliberations.
- Plan faces pushback from service members and alumni groups.
- Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul suggested a 'better way' for integration.
- Envisioned integrated academy to be located in Daejeon.
South Korea's plan to merge its Army, Air Force, and Navy military academies has been delayed, with a defense ministry official stating that a detailed road map will likely be announced later than planned to ensure ongoing deliberations reflect the positions of all stakeholders. The administration of President Lee Jae Myung is pushing for the merger to enhance joint capabilities amid a declining birth rate and changing warfare environment. However, the plan has faced strong pushback from active-duty service members and alumni groups, who argue it will erode the capabilities of individual service branches. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul previously indicated the ministry might rethink the plan, suggesting there could be a 'better way' for integration and promising to gather input from all concerned parties. The preliminary blueprint unveiled in July envisioned the integrated academy at Jaundae, a military training and education compound in Daejeon.