Daejeon:Seoul A detailed road map for merging South Korea's military academies is expected to be announced later than planned. The delay aims to ensure that ongoing deliberations incorporate the positions of all stakeholders, according to a government official.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Lee Jae Myung administration is advocating for the creation of a single military academy by merging the Army, Air Force, and Navy academies. This initiative seeks to enhance joint capabilities in response to a declining birth rate and a changing warfare environment influenced by drones and artificial intelligence technologies.

Despite the administration's intentions, the plan has encountered significant resistance from active-duty service members and alumni groups. Critics view the merger as a politically motivated attempt to weaken the Army and fear it could diminish the capabilities of individual service branches.

A defense ministry official, speaking on background, indicated that it would be challenging to announce the detailed plans before the end of the month due to the ongoing process of gathering opinions. This delay aligns with Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul's previous suggestion that the ministry might reconsider the plan in light of strong opposition.

On his first day in office in September, Kang proposed exploring a "better way" to achieve integration, emphasizing that the current plan does not imply the government is closing or abolishing the academies. Kang committed to collecting extensive input from all parties involved, underscoring the objective of training institutions to develop outstanding military leaders.

The preliminary blueprint, revealed by the government and the ruling party in July, outlines the establishment of the integrated academy at Jaundae, a military training and education compound located in Daejeon, approximately 140 kilometers south of Seoul.