People Power Party Gyeongnam Women's Committee: "Firmly Opposed to Naval Academy Relocation ... Do Not Destroy the Navy's History and Tradition"

The Women's Committee of the People Power Party Gyeongnam Provincial Chapter strongly opposed the government's plan to relocate the Naval Academy as part of the establishment of an integrated Army, Navy, and Air Force Military Academy, and called for the plan to be withdrawn.

On August 3, the Women's Committee held a press conference in front of the entrance to the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, declaring, "We are adamantly opposed to the relocation of the Naval Academy," and stating, "The Naval Academy must remain in Jinhae."

The Committee stated, "The Naval Academy is not just an educational institution; it is a symbol that has fostered Navy officers for 80 years, inheriting the spirit and tradition of the Republic of Korea Navy, and serving as the root of Korea's maritime security."

"Jinhae is the only naval port city in the country," they emphasized, "and it is home to the Naval Academy, the Naval Education and Training Command, the Naval Logistics Command, the Jinhae Base Command, the Submarine Command, and the Naval Special Warfare Flotilla, concentrating the Navy's education, logistics, base, submarine, and special operations capabilities."

They asserted, "No other city in South Korea has so richly combined the Navy's history, culture, education, and operational functions as Jinhae," and warned, "The moment the Naval Academy leaves Jinhae, both its historical context and symbolic value will be lost."

They also stated, "The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival is not just a cherry blossom festival, but a unique naval cultural festival in South Korea that has grown together with the Navy since its inception in 1963." They added, "Events such as opening the Naval Academy to the public, performances by cadet honor guards and military bands, and public access to naval vessels are irreplaceable pieces of maritime culture."

The Women's Committee of the People Power Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Party held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council building, protesting the government's plan to relocate the Naval Academy.
Photo by Se-ryung Lee

They emphasized, "There is an inherent connection between history and its location," and argued, "If Gyeongbokgung Palace were removed from Seoul, its historical significance would vanish, and if the Independence Hall left its historical site, its symbolic meaning would be greatly diminished."

They continued, "This is also why France does not move the Eiffel Tower, and why the United States keeps the West Point Military Academy in place—because national cultural heritage is not about the building itself, but the history and tradition accumulated in that very location, making it a national symbol."

The committee members further pointed out, "Relocating the Naval Academy is an act of dismantling a region’s core historical and cultural assets, by the state itself, in an era of local extinction. This runs counter to the philosophy of balanced national development and stands in direct opposition to policies designed to address regional extinction."

They stressed, "The Naval Academy is a source of pride for Jinhae and represents the history of the Republic of Korea Navy, while the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival is a leading cultural heritage event. The Academy and the festival together form a historical and cultural asset that can only be completed through each other."

Moreover, they declared, "Relocating the Naval Academy would shake the roots of 80 years of accumulated history and culture in South Korea's only naval port city," and urged, "The government and the Ministry of National Defense must immediately withdraw the relocation plan for the Naval Academy."

In addition, they demanded, "Recognize the Naval Academy as a national cultural heritage built upon the Navy's history and tradition, respecting the historic significance and locality of Jinhae," and added, "Establish a principle for preserving the nation’s historical and cultural assets and apply it consistently to all national institution relocation policies."

They called on the government to "thoroughly investigate the impact of the Naval Academy's relocation on balanced national development, local extinction response, and the preservation of national cultural heritage, and establish a process for public debate."

The Committee voiced a united stance, saying, "The Jinhae Naval Academy is not something to be relocated, but a historical and cultural heritage that must be preserved for the Republic of Korea. Do not destroy the history and traditions of our Navy."

Committee Chairperson Seo Misook stated, "Relocating the Naval Academy from Jinhae would destroy not only 80 years of its own tradition but also the 64-year legacy of the Gunhangje Festival. Each year, more than 1 million tourists visit Changwon for the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, and eliminating this cultural and tourist resource would undermine Jinhae's pride and value, which is why committee members voluntarily gathered today to hold this press conference."

Chairperson Seo also noted, "Of course, it is important for children to receive a good education as they grow up, but it is equally important that they develop pride in their region," and appealed, "We must stop activities that threaten local communities by destroying historical and cultural resources in this era of regional extinction."

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