'40-Something Trainee' Cheon Haram: "Training Begins at 3 A.M. Wearing a Smartwatch"

Cheon Haram of the Reform New Party, Member of the National Defense Committee

Completes Three-Day Training at Nonsan Army Training Center

"Inspired by the Camaraderie Among Young Soldiers in Their Twenties"

Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, finished three days and two nights of recruit training at Nonsan Army Training Center and commented, "It was truly inspiring to see recruits in their early twenties giving their all during training." While experiencing changes in the military environment firsthand—including barracks management utilizing smartwatches and training sessions scheduled in the early morning hours to avoid the heat—he also noted the reality of declining military manpower resources.

On August 14, through his social networking service (SNS), Floor Leader Cheon shared his training camp experience, saying, "The training itself was tough, but just living together in uniform in this heat was no joke."

Cheon Haram, leader of the Reform New Party, receiving recruit training at Nonsan Training Center. Photo by Cheon Haram's Facebook

He highlighted the use of smartwatches as the most striking change. Not only could recruits receive information about training schedules, assembly times, and uniforms, and record fitness test results, but also apply for hospital visits and receive instructions for night guard duty—all via smartwatch. Floor Leader Cheon stated, "I will also secure the relevant budget for the training battalions that have not yet introduced smartwatches."

During the hottest period, training began at 3 a.m. The military focused on essential tactical drills such as squad combat during the cool hours of the early morning, while reserving midday—the hottest part of the day—for naps and personal maintenance. He added, "From dawn, there was nonstop field training," and remarked, "After crawling and marching—things I wasn’t used to—my whole body feels beaten up."

Regarding the young soldiers in their twenties who trained alongside him, he said, "Despite the heat and hardship, they showed camaraderie by helping one another," adding, "While politicians often disparage or try to lecture the younger generation, I saw these young people faithfully fulfilling their assigned roles more than anyone."

As a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, Floor Leader Cheon participated in the training not to dwell on his own military experience in the past, but to directly observe the changed environment and listen to servicemen and women so he can reflect their voices and experiences in future policy.

A spokesperson for Floor Leader Cheon stated, "We will faithfully reflect the realities of barrack life and the voices of the soldiers witnessed during this training in future activities of the National Defense Committee," and added, "We will not resort to mere desk-bound discussions, but will create policies and legislation that can be tangibly felt on the ground."

Cheon Haram, the leader of the Reform New Party, undergoing trainee education at Nonsan Training Center. Photo by Cheon Haram via Facebook

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