Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has raised concerns over the potential risk of military coups orchestrated by Army elites, highlighting the need for the swift integration of South Korea's military academies. During a policy briefing session with the foreign, unification, and defense ministries, President Lee pointed to the historical involvement of the Korea Military Academy graduates in past military coups and their continued lack of accountability.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized the urgency of merging the academies of the Army, Navy, and Air Force into a single institution. This move aims to mitigate the risk of one military branch dominating and potentially destabilizing the nation through a coup. He questioned the current structure, stating, "Is it acceptable to separate military branches and nurture them separately when one branch comes to overwhelmingly dominate the military, stages a coup that shakes the country and still remains unaccountable?"
The defense ministry is currently exploring the establishment of an integrated military academy, a decision influenced by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 martial law declaration, which involved then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a Korea Military Academy alumnus. President Lee's remarks underscore the importance of preventing any future coups and maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula.
In the briefing session, President Lee also highlighted the significance of peace and stability amid global upheavals, linking them to economic prosperity. "Peace is food. Peace is the economy," he stated, emphasizing that maintaining peace is crucial for supporting economic stability. He urged the unification ministry to persist in engaging with North Korea despite Pyongyang's lack of response to Seoul's diplomatic overtures.
Furthermore, President Lee addressed the issue of land reclamation previously occupied by United States Forces Korea (USFK). Despite the relocation of U.S. troops to Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul, certain lands have not been returned to South Korea, rendering them unusable due to restrictions. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back acknowledged the USFK's passive stance on the matter and stated that Seoul is urging progress.
President Lee concluded by expressing regret over the politicization of security and diplomatic issues, pledging to achieve tangible results by taking necessary actions rather than engaging in partisan disputes. The government's policy of pursuing peace and coexistence with North Korea will continue, despite the challenges in improving relations with Pyongyang.