Democratic Party Jinhae Councilors: "The Naval Academy Must Remain in Jinhae"

As the government pushes ahead with plans to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, the local community has been unsettled, with Democratic Party of Korea city and provincial councilors representing the Jinhae district in Changwon, Gyeongnam, coming out in strong opposition to the relocation of the Jinhae Naval Academy.

On July 30, the Democratic Party councilors of the Jinhae region held a press conference at the Press Center of Changwon Special City Hall, declaring, "The Naval Academy must remain in Jinhae, which is not only the home of the Navy, but also a military port city," and urging for the retention of the Naval Academy in Jinhae.

Members of the City and Provincial Council from the Democratic Party of Korea representing Jinhae, Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, are holding a press conference opposing the relocation of the Jinhae Naval Academy following the government's establishment of an integrated Korea Military Academy.
Photo by Seryoung Lee

They emphasized, "Since its establishment in 1946, the Naval Academy has inherited the history and traditions of the Republic of Korea Navy for 80 years and has served as a core national educational institution cultivating future naval commanders. It is also the only institution of higher education in Jinhae. Relocating the Naval Academy from Jinhae would have a profound impact on the history and identity of the Korean Navy, as well as on the more than 120-year-old legacy and future of Jinhae as a military port city."

The councilors further noted, "Cadets grow into naval commanders by directly experiencing warships, ports, currents, maritime weather, and the marine environment. The sea is not simply a practice field for the Navy, but is both an educational ground, a battlefield, and the space where the Navy's identity is forged. For this reason, it is difficult to separate naval officer training from the sea."

They also questioned, "While sailors and warrant officers are trained at the Jinhae Education Command, is it really appropriate to relocate the Naval Academy—the officer training institution—to an inland area? This requires a thorough review to determine if it fully reflects the distinctive nature and expertise of the Republic of Korea Navy."

The councilors added, "We do not deny the need for integrated education stemming from the changing nature of modern warfare, the necessity of defense reform, and the advancement of each military branch's command training system. However, integration that sacrifices each branch's expertise and unique attributes without sufficient review cannot be considered genuine defense reform."

They pointed out, "Citizens of Jinhae have experienced a sense of loss as a result of the relocations of the Army University and the Naval Operations Command. They have also endured numerous inconveniences and sacrifices for national security, including development restrictions and property rights limitations. The proposed relocation of the Naval Academy, without any alternatives, amounts to another unilateral demand for sacrifice."

Furthermore, the councilors warned, "If the Naval Academy is relocated, the local economic, educational, and cultural infrastructure—jointly established by cadets, faculty, and their families—could be weakened."

They emphasized, "Before promoting the integration and relocation of the academies, the government must transparently disclose to the public objective and comprehensive research results concerning the validity of integration, required finances, expected national security effects, educational outcomes, and impacts on the local community."

In particular, they stressed, "It is essential to fully listen to the opinions of residents from the Jinhae district of Changwon and to engage in a process of public dialogue and consensus building."

They also urged, "Please undertake a thorough reconsideration to ensure that the Naval Academy remains in Jinhae, and establish a consultative body with participation from the government, National Assembly, Gyeongnam Province, Changwon City, the Navy, and the local community."

The councilors pointed out, "When the Naval Operations Command was relocated in the past, nearly 30,000 people left the region. If the Naval Academy is relocated, it will cause yet another population decline and will have a major impact on the local economy." They added, "We will discuss this matter closely with Gyeongnam Province and Changwon City and will also consult with the opposition parties to ensure the Naval Academy remains in Jinhae."

They continued, "We propose the establishment of a joint response consultative body, and we will stand with Jinhae citizens by organizing single-person protests and other activities in the Jinhae area to support the retention of the Naval Academy."

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