Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon [Yonhap News file photo]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has expressed concerns that the government's recent push to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies could undermine the expertise and identity of each service branch.

On the 5th, Mayor Oh posted a message on Facebook titled "The officer training system, a century-long foundation of national security, must not be shaken," stating that "the officer training system is a century-long foundation of our national security."

He continued, "This is not something to be pushed forward solely under the pretext of fulfilling a presidential campaign promise without sufficient review and public consensus," arguing that "the expertise and identity that each branch has accumulated over a long time should not be shaken for the superficial reason of strengthening joint operations."

Mayor Oh cited the U.S. example, noting, "The United States also operates its Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy separately, while fostering joint operational capabilities through its joint staff system and joint training."

He further elaborated, "I believe jointness is not achieved by merging schools into one, but is only completed when each branch cooperates based on its own expertise. Just as comprehensive art is important, but we do not merge art schools, music colleges, and physical education colleges," he added by way of analogy.

Mayor Oh also pointed out, "Moreover, if another objective of this integration is to relocate the Korea Military Academy to facilitate housing supply at the Taereung Country Club, we must be even more cautious."

He added, "Above all, the views of local residents are what matter most. Whether it is the development of the Taereung CC or the relocation of the Military Academy, these are not issues for the central government to decide unilaterally. A process that thoroughly examines the impact on residents' living environment, traffic, education, culture, and the environment, and secures the sympathy and consent of the residents, must precede any action."

Mayor Oh emphasized, "The importance of housing supply cannot be overemphasized," but added, "However, the officer training system and the historical assets of our armed forces, which have been accumulated over 80 years, are difficult to restore once damaged. In particular, Taereung and Hwarangdae are symbolic spaces where the traditions of the Republic of Korea's military are preserved, and they are important security assets for Seoul."

He also criticized the move, saying, "I am concerned that, much like the plan to push 10,000 housing units into the Yongsan International Business District without any school measures, there may be an intention to utilize the Military Academy, a bastion of national security, for the sole purpose of increasing housing numbers."

Furthermore, Mayor Oh noted that "the opinions of the stakeholders, including the cadets and active-duty soldiers, must be sufficiently reflected."

Regarding the future direction the military should take, Mayor Oh argued, "What is needed now is not showy integration, but reform that enhances the military's competitiveness."

He concluded, "The more urgent tasks are to restore the morale of the military—currently shaken by the declining application rate for junior officers, the loss of elite talent, and issues regarding service conditions and treatment—and to create an environment where young talent can choose to serve in the military with pride."