Entrance ceremony for new cadets and advancement ceremony for existing cadets held at the Hwarang Parade Ground of the Korea Military Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul. [Photo = Yonhap News]

To the Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army,

First, I wish to express my deepest respect for your dedicated service in leading the Republic of Korea Army.

I have spent my entire career studying national security and military strategy. As a senior officer, I once served as an instructor at the Korea Military Academy and directly mentored your own graduating class.

Although we held a relationship of student and instructor at that time, today I address you not as a former teacher, but as a citizen and a lifelong scholar of the military, seeking to publicly pose questions to the highest authority of the ROK Army.

This letter is intended neither as a critique nor as an attempt to coerce you into taking sides on a specific policy. It is certainly not an inquiry into your personal political stance.

This is a public inquiry, requesting that the person in the most responsible position share his professional views with the public regarding a significant matter that concerns the future of our nation's officer training system and the ROK Army itself.

Article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea mandates the political neutrality of the Armed Forces. However, political neutrality means the military should not intervene in the interests of specific political parties or factions; it does not mean that military leaders are prohibited from expressing professional military opinions on national defense policies directly tied to their expertise.

In fact, the Chief of Staff of the Army is legally the highest authority in charge of force generation (military training and development), and the Korea Military Academy is an educational institution operating under your direct command and responsibility.

Therefore, as the officer training system undergoes fundamental changes, your professional opinion is not merely a private view, but a crucial military judgment that the public deserves to hear.

Looking back at history, there have been many commanders who have spoken out for the sake of the nation and the military.

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur clearly expressed his military views on limited war strategies, and General John Singlaub voiced his opposition to the policy of withdrawing U.S. forces from Korea. General Eric Shinseki, as Army Chief of Staff, offered his professional judgment regarding troop requirements in the Iraq War, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis resigned after expressing his convictions on national security.

Within our own military, figures like General Lee Jong-chan, General Han Shin, General Min Byung-don, and General Nam Jae-joon clearly stated their convictions to protect the military's professionalism; today, their actions are remembered not as political maneuvers, but as examples of a soldier's sense of responsibility.

General, the proposal to establish an "Integrated Military Academy" recently pushed by the government is a major policy that alters the foundation of our officer training system.

While the objective of strengthening "jointness" to address the characteristics of future warfare is understandable, there is a wide range of opinions both inside and outside the military as to whether this policy can actually achieve such goals. The public is also feeling considerable confusion.

I believe such controversies should be verified by military expertise, not by political rhetoric. Therefore, I respectfully ask for your views on the following matters as the leader responsible for the ROK Army’s force generation:

First, do you believe that the currently proposed integrated military academy system is the most effective method to practically enhance the jointness required for future warfare?

The public wants to hear your professional judgment: Is jointness formed through integrated education starting from the cadet years, or is it developed through joint staff training and field experience after gaining sufficient expertise within each respective branch?

Second, the Army is already experiencing significant difficulties in securing high-quality officers. The increase in cadet dropouts and the decline in junior officer applicants have already been pointed out as serious social issues multiple times.

In this situation, how do you assess the impact on attracting top talent if the Korea Military Academy, currently located in the metropolitan area, is relocated to another region, and what are the specific plans to minimize such risks?

Third, the government explains that it intends to strengthen jointness through an integrated academy. However, in reality, a significant portion of our officer corps is commissioned through various training pathways, including ROTC, third-party officer programs, and the existing academies for the three branches.

If only the military academies are integrated, how will the jointness of these other officers be strengthened, and how would you design an integrated education system for the entire officer corps? The public wishes to know your perspective on this.

Fourth, the Military Academy is not merely a university; it is an educational institution that forms the spiritual foundation of the ROK officer corps. Many believe that its traditions, history, symbolism, and educational environment are vital components of combat readiness.

Do you believe that these intangible values can be sufficiently inherited under a new system, and if so, what would be the plan to achieve this? I would appreciate your thoughts.

General, these questions are not intended to support or oppose any single policy.

As this is a matter that determines the future of the Republic of Korea Army and the direction of its officer training system, I wish to hear the professional opinion of the person in the position of greatest responsibility, alongside the public.

Your response will not be for any specific administration, but a record for the future of the ROK Army. As I mentioned, I was once a senior officer who mentored your graduating class.

However, I do not wish to invoke our past mentor-student relationship in this letter. Today, you are the highest commander representing the entire Army, and as a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I hold that position in high regard.

Respect does not demand silence; rather, it leads us to expect a responsible explanation to the public.

History records not only who made which decisions at critical moments, but also who raised a responsible voice.

I trust that your honest and professional insights will contribute greatly not only to the advancement of our officer training system but also to increasing public trust.

I respectfully request that, as the highest commander responsible for the ROK Army and the leader in charge of officer training, you share your invaluable expertise with the public.

I wish for the endless development of the Army and thank you for your service to our motherland.

July 17, 2026

 　 　　　 Joo Eun-sik

 　 　 President, Korea Institute for Military Affairs

 Brigadier General, ROK Army (Ret.)