South Korea to establish integrated military academy by 2028

The South Korean government plans to merge the Army, Navy and Air Force academies into a single four‑year National Military Academy. Defense Committee chair Jin Seong‑jun said the legislation will be passed by the end of the year, allowing the first intake of cadets in March 2028. The Ministry of Defense will hold public hearings and finalize detailed plans by October.

Opposition parties, including the People Power Party, criticize the move as a politicised overhaul done without public consultation, calling it an "arrogant" decision by the administration. Debates continue over the academy’s curriculum structure, with proposals such as a "2+2" split between common and service‑specific training awaiting expert input.