The ‘Pan-National Rally Against the Consolidation of Military Academies and Relocation of the Korea Military Academy’ was held at 11:00 a.m. today, the 8th, on the outdoor steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. [Photo = Hanmi Ilbo/Yonhap News]

The ‘Pan-National Rally Against the Consolidation of Military Academies and Relocation of the Korea Military Academy’ was held at 11:00 a.m. today, the 8th, on the outdoor steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.

This is an unprecedented large-scale collective action in military history, aimed at thwarting the government's attempts to consolidate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies and relocate the Korea Military Academy (KMA) to a provincial region.

It is the first time in military history that the alumni associations of all three branches of the military have united for collective action on a single national security issue.

Prior to the main event, People Power Party lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun, Kim Gi-hyeon, and Yoo Yong-won delivered supporting speeches, and lawmaker Na Kyung-won received applause for her incisive speech during the event.

At today’s rally, approximately 3,000 participants from 42 organizations—including the alumni associations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, military academy alumni, security organizations, reserve forces, religious groups, parents, and civic groups—wore raincoats distributed by the organizers and stood in orderly rows while holding placards calling for the "opposition to the consolidation of military academies" and an "end to the plan to relocate the KMA."

The main event opened with remarks from the KMA Alumni Association President and People Power Party lawmakers Han Ki-ho (31st graduating class) and Lim Jong-deuk (42nd graduating class), both of whom are KMA graduates.

Lawmaker Han strongly condemned the move, stating, "This attempt is a hasty and reckless gamble carried out while completely ignoring the opinions of security experts," adding, "The nearly 3 trillion won in taxpayer money required for this consolidation should be invested in 'fostering a strong military' to strengthen national security and prepare for the future of our armed forces, not wasted on an unjustifiable consolidation."

During the speech by the KMA Alumni Association President, the atmosphere became somber as he noted, "Over the past 80 years, the Korea Military Academy has trained 22,426 officers who have dedicated themselves to the development of the military and the nation; notably, 1,476 of them—over 5%—gave their lives in battle."

Former Army Chief of Staff Kim Yo-hwan, who delivered a condemnation statement, pointedly remarked, "As the nature of modern and future warfare becomes increasingly sophisticated, it is essential to cultivate elite officers who embody the unique professionalism and identity of each service branch. Forcibly merging them will lead to a downward leveling of the military and fundamentally shake the foundations of our national security."

Representatives of citizens, youth, and parents also voiced their concerns, stating, "The military academies, which are the cradles of national security, must not be swayed by political logic or non-military interests such as real estate development." They resolved to condemn the current government’s attempts at consolidation and provincial relocation and to protect the core of national security.

Toward the end of the event, the alumni association leadership led the reading of a resolution and the chanting of slogans. The essence of the resolution called for: △An immediate stop to the pursuit of military academy consolidation and a full re-examination from the start; △A halt to the provincial relocation of the KMA—a symbol of the patriotic spirit—and the cancellation of plans to build apartments in the Taereung area; and △The formation of a representative consultative body including military experts and parents.

The attendees pledged to fight until the end through all legal means and methods until their demands are met, concluding the rally with three cheers of "Manse."

Immediately following the adjournment at 12:30 p.m., a delegation of representatives visited the offices of the National Assembly Speaker and the Ministry of National Defense to personally deliver the resolution containing the cries and appeals of the 3,000 participants and to express their strong protest.