"Korea Military Academy at Center of Coups"... Delayed Return of USFK Bases Also Pointed Out

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung pointed out that graduates of the Korea Military Academy have been at the center of past military coups, yet have never been held accountable, and ordered the swift integration of the military service academies. President Lee also pointed out the issue of delayed negotiations over the return of returned land from U.S. Forces Korea.

[Reporter]

This was from the presidential work reports by diplomatic and security ministries held at the Blue House on the morning of August 5.

After receiving a report from the Ministry of National Defense on the plan to integrate the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, President Lee emphasized this point, noting that all three past military coups centered around the Korea Military Academy without anyone ever facing responsibility.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Officers from a specific military branch almost overwhelmingly dominate the military and occasionally stage military coups that devastate the country, yet they face no responsibility whatsoever. Does this make any sense? Integrating them will somewhat reduce such possibilities.]

This effectively clarified that the purpose of integrating the military academies is to check the Korea Military Academy.

Mentioning the possibility of a coup recurring by asking, "Can't they do it again?", President Lee ordered that the integration be carried out swiftly and forcefully, stating, "We must structurally ensure they can never do it."

Regarding the situation where the return of USFK returned land across the country is not taking place on time even after the relocation of U.S. military bases to Pyeongtaek, which the government built at a cost of 10 trillion won, he flatly stated, "It doesn't make sense by common sense."

[President Lee Jae-myung: In my view, it's practically an excuse. They don't hand them over for various reasons, or even when they do, they attach strings to prevent us from using them. Isn't this a real problem?]

[Ahn Gyu-back / Minister of National Defense: We will proceed with a sense of speed.]

When Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back reported that the U.S. side is passive, President Lee pointed out, "That's why you shouldn't give things in advance."

Regarding the Ministry of Unification's report that it would push to change how North Korea is addressed by calling it "Chosun", President Lee urged caution, saying, "I think we need to ponder this very carefully."

[President Lee Jae-myung: Sometimes, when you try to do things properly with good intentions, it gets picked on and attacked, resulting in an even worse situation.]

Stating that "independent national defense is the ultimate goal," President Lee repeatedly expressed his determination to transition wartime operational control within his term.

(Video Editing: Seunghee)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.