People Power Party Gyeongnam Lawmakers: "Oppose Naval Academy Relocation ... Withdraw Integration and Relocation Plan"

Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly members affiliated with the People Power Party have strongly opposed the government's plan to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies and to relocate the Naval Academy.

On July 30, the assembly members held a press conference in front of the entrance to the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly and declared, "We strongly oppose the government's plan to integrate and relocate the military academies."

The assembly members criticized, "The government's plan to establish a unified national military academy by integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies is an arbitrary decision that would, in effect, close the Navy Academy, which has maintained its 80-year history since its founding in 1946," adding, "Without proper verification, the government is disrupting a long history and the public’s trust all at once."

They also insisted, "The government overturned the existing proposal, which was still under review, within just ten days and unilaterally announced a full-scale integration, yet failed to provide a cost-benefit analysis or a plan for site utilization," and emphasized, "The residents of Jinhae and the people of Gyeongnam cannot accept a unilateral decision that was made without even a single public hearing with local residents who are most affected."

Members of the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly from the People Power Party and others are holding a press conference opposing the government’s plan to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies and relocate the Naval Academy.
Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

The assembly members stressed, "The essence of training Navy officers is in the field—the sea itself," adding, "Navy officers should be nurtured at sea."

They pointed out, "If theory is taught inland, far from the sea, and cadets have to commute to Jinhae for practical training, it will result in tremendous administrative and fiscal waste for which no one can take responsibility," adding, "This will not strengthen joint operations but rather undermine the Navy's educational expertise and hands-on experience."

They further argued, "Bringing about another wave of population outflow and local economic downturn in Jinhae—which already suffered great pain in the past when the Naval Operations Command relocated—is a clear violation of the principle of balanced national development," emphasizing, "The root of the Republic of Korea Navy is in Jinhae, and the Navy Academy must remain there."

They called on the government to: immediately withdraw the basic plan for establishing a four-year national military academy; guarantee the independence of the Navy Academy and its retention in Jinhae; promote joint education, exchange semesters, and joint training instead of pursuing integration for the sake of interoperability; stop the hasty push for the National Military Academy Establishment Act and related budgets; and conduct a substantive public discussion, including an objective review of the impact on education, security, finances, and the region, as well as gather input from local residents.

The press conference was joined by Changwon City Council members affiliated with the People Power Party, some Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly and Changwon City Council members affiliated with the Democratic Party, Lee Beomrim, President of the Navy Academy Alumni Association, and Jung Seokgyun, Secretary-General, among others.

Lee Beomrim, President of the Alumni Association, questioned, "How can there be a naval academy without the sea?" and earnestly stated, "Just as our seniors did, I sincerely hope that future generations can look out over the sea, nurture their dreams of becoming naval officers, and build the spirit of defending Korea’s maritime sovereignty."

He expressed concern, saying, "If the academies are integrated and the three military academies are closed without any grounds, the rich 80-year history of the Navy Academy will come to an abrupt end, and its cherished spirit will be erased. Merchants who have worked alongside the Navy in the city will also be devastated overnight."

President Lee appealed, "When the Naval Operations Command left Jinhae more than a decade ago, it inflicted pain once, and now it will result in a completely desperate situation. Please prevent the closure and relocation of the Navy Academy and safeguard the livelihood of local merchants."

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