Seoul: Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Tuesday reinforced the government's initiative to unify the military academies into a single institution, describing it as a "fundamental reform" necessary to address a demographic decline and evolving trends in military training.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn communicated his support through a command letter directed at the armed forces' leadership. This move comes amidst rising opposition concerning the Lee Jae Myung administration's plan to consolidate the Army, Air Force, and Navy academies. The initiative has sparked intense debate, with retired military leaders and alumni associations issuing formal statements urging the government to reconsider the plan.

In his letter, Ahn acknowledged the hard work of the superintendents and cadets but emphasized the need for comprehensive reform. He suggested that changes should encompass the visions and goals of the academies, as well as their faculties, facilities, infrastructure, and educational curriculum. Ahn underscored the importance of fostering "jointness" among military branches to enhance cadets' abilities through collaborative learning and training.

Ahn stressed the necessity of instilling this joint approach from the beginning of cadets' education, allowing it to evolve as they progress in their military careers. He also highlighted a troubling trend of declining admission scores for military academies, indicating a failure to attract aspiring cadets by demonstrating the academies' potential to help them realize their capabilities.

To counteract this, Ahn proposed expanding the military academies to nurture national talent on a larger scale. He advocated for the integrated institution to serve as a platform for cadets to develop skills in advanced fields, such as artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing the military's future capabilities.