Forty-six former Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have called for a full reconsideration of the government's push to integrate the three military academies. In a joint statement released on the 6th, they warned that the integration could have a negative impact on national security and the officer training system.

■ "Must Be Approached Based on Security Essentials, Not Political Reasons" In a statement, the former service chiefs argued that "the integration of the military academies is being driven by political motives rather than a focus on the development of each academy and the cultivation of elite officers." They emphasized that discussions on the advancement of military academies should be grounded in the core principles of national security and elite officer training, separate from holding specific individuals accountable for their involvement in illegal activities. They also criticized the government for conducting public hearings and other opinion-gathering processes for the integration in a perfunctory manner. In particular, they pointed out that the findings of the military academy reform task force were altered to suit political needs, and that the policy is being forced through without adequately reflecting expert opinions and public sentiment.

■ "Training in the Same Location Does Not Automatically Enhance Jointness" The former chiefs also systematically rebutted the government's rationale for integration. They countered, "Enhanced joint operations are achieved based on each branch's unique expertise; simply training in the same location does not automatically strengthen jointness." Regarding the expected budget savings from integration, they argued that it would instead require astronomical expenditures. Furthermore, they stressed that generalizing the political interference of a few military personnel from a specific academy to label it an issue across all academies—and presenting integration as a preventive measure—is a "mismatch between diagnosis and prescription."

■ Joint Statement by 46 Figures Including Former Ministers Han Min-koo and Jeong Kyeong-doo... A Historic First This statement comes immediately after President Lee Jae-myung made remarks during a Ministry of National Defense policy briefing the previous day, suggesting that the integration of military academies could reduce the likelihood of a coup. This marks the first time that former military service chiefs have issued a joint statement regarding a government policy. At a meeting held on the 5th at the Air Force Hotel in Seoul, 26 attendees—comprising 9 from the Army, 6 from the Navy, and 11 from the Air Force—formulated the joint position. A total of 46 individuals, including former chiefs who later joined the endorsement, ultimately shared this stance. Key military figures who signed the statement include former Ministers of National Defense Han Min-koo and Jeong Kyeong-doo, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Won In-choul, and former Chief of Naval Operations Kang Dong-gil.

Meanwhile, the integration of the military academies is one of President Lee Jae-myung's election pledges and a key national agenda item. Last month, the Ministry of National Defense announced a basic plan to establish a combined four-year "National Military Academy" at the Jaundae installation in Daejeon, integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies. Following a public hearing scheduled for the 26th, the ministry plans to formulate and announce a detailed plan around October.