Rep. Lee Jongwook and Jinhae Security Groups: "Firm Opposition to the Hasty Relocation of the Naval Academy"

The government's plan to establish a “Korea Armed Forces Academy” by consolidating the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies in Daejeon has triggered fierce backlash from residents of Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, where the Republic of Korea Naval Academy is currently located.

Lee Jongwook, a member of the National Assembly for Jinhae-gu from the People Power Party, held a press conference at the Changwon City Hall Press Center on July 22 alongside local city and provincial councilors from Jinhae and the Federation of Security Organizations. He called on the government to "immediately halt the hasty integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies and the planned relocation of the Naval Academy."

Lee criticized, "On the 16th, the government announced a plan to merge the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies and establish a four-year Korea Armed Forces Academy at Jaun Base in Daejeon." He added, "They are pushing forward abruptly without a single opportunity for input from local residents, such as public hearings or briefings."

He pointed out, "This policy lacks procedural legitimacy." He continued, "Although the government claims population decline and the need to strengthen jointness as the rationale, these are not sufficient grounds for merging the academies."

He stressed, "In an era of declining troop numbers, we must further increase the proportion and expertise of elite officers. Real jointness can only be achieved when based on the unique identities and professional expertise of each service branch." He added, "Even in the United States, the Army, Navy, and Air Force each operate their academies independently."

He further argued, "Training for naval officers—such as shipboard practicums, navigation training, and maritime survival exercises—cannot possibly be done properly away from the sea." He questioned, "In which maritime power in the world is the naval academy relocated to an inland area without access to the sea?"

Lee Jongwook, a member of the People Power Party, local city and provincial councilors from Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, and the Security Organizations Association are holding a press conference urging the government to withdraw the plan to relocate the Naval Academy.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

He also emphasized, "Relocating the Naval Academy is not simply a matter of moving an educational institution or improving administrative efficiency." He added, "It is a major national matter that impacts the very foundation of the Republic of Korea’s system for training officers, national security, the Navy’s history and tradition, and the identity and future of Jinhae as a naval city."

"This issue does not belong to a single political party," he continued. "It is a matter of the region’s identity and national security, and both the ruling and opposition parties must raise their voices together."

Lee made it clear he would firmly oppose any government proposal to substitute the relocation with other development projects.

He said, "The government is expected to announce more detailed plans for the relocation of the academy sometime in October. There is a possibility that they will propose moving the academy in exchange for other concessions." He stressed, "Taking away the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, which is the very heart of Jinhae’s Navy, and trying to substitute it with something else is unacceptable. The Naval Academy cannot be removed from Jinhae, and we will not give it up."

Local security organizations in Jinhae also voiced strong concerns over the relocation of the Naval Academy.

Cho Eungdae, President of the Jinhae Security Organizations Federation, commented, "Jinhae is the cradle of the Korean Navy, where sailors, petty officers, non-commissioned officers, and officers are trained." He insisted, "If the Naval Academy is relocated, one entire pillar of the Navy’s education system will collapse."

President Cho added, "Jinhae’s Navy Festival, which started as a memorial service for Admiral Yi Sun-sin at the statue on Bukwon Rotary, attracts millions of visitors every year who naturally come into contact with the Navy and the Naval Academy." He warned, "Relocating the Naval Academy, which is closely linked to the Navy Festival, will harm its symbolic status as the cradle of the Navy."

Lee announced plans to build solidarity for the withdrawal of the relocation plan by collaborating with the Korea Naval Academy Alumni Association, naval classmate associations, naval-related groups, and security organizations.

He also said that he would prepare separate countermeasures in collaboration with Gyeongnam Province, Changwon City, and local small business owners.

Lee stated, "While governments may change every five years, national security is everlasting." He stressed, "The future of the Navy and national security should be determined not based on the term of a political administration, but with the next hundred years of the Republic of Korea in mind."

He also vowed, "In order to protect the history and tradition of the Republic of Korea Navy, the foundation of national security, and the future of Jinhae as a naval port city, I will continue to fight until this hasty integration plan is withdrawn."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.