266 Korea Military Academy Cadets Commissioned... Second Lieutenant Na Hoseon Awarded Presidential Citation

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The 76th Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony of the Korea Military Academy (KMA) was held at the KMA Hwarang Parade Ground.

According to the Army on the 5th, 266 cadets of the 76th class (including 25 female officers) who were commissioned at the graduation ceremony entered in 2016 and received four years of training to become elite officers.

Among the graduates, Second Lieutenant Na Hoseon (photo), who achieved the highest scores, received the prestigious Presidential Award; Second Lieutenant Jeon Haegwang received the Prime Minister's Award; and Second Lieutenant Kim Juhan received the Minister of National Defense Award. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award went to Second Lieutenant Kim Tae-eun, the Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command Award to Second Lieutenant Hong Yangpyo, the Army Chief of Staff Award to Second Lieutenant Kim Sang-gyeong, and the Superintendent's Award to Second Lieutenant Kang Hyemi.

Second Lieutenant Na said, "As a soldier of the Republic of Korea, I will protect the nation and its people on the front lines with a mindset of loyalty and dedication," adding, "I will always be vigilant against momentary temptations and complacency, striving to be a humble and righteous soldier who walks the path of justice."

He continued, "All members of the 76th class will become strong and righteous swords and shields dedicated to the Republic of Korea in the harshest and most barren places," and expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank my beloved parents who always support and generously back their daughter, who is walking the uncommon and challenging path of a soldier."

Second Lieutenant Shin Yunhyuk (23), the great-grandson of the late Lee Bugun, who led the independence movement in Changwon, Gyeongnam during the Japanese colonial period and was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation, followed the path of an officer, succeeding his maternal grandfather who participated in the Korean War and his father who completed his service as an Army sergeant. Second Lieutenant Kim Dongjin (23), recipient of the Liberation Hero Award, has a father who retired as a major, and his older brother, Lieutenant Kim Donghwan (ROTC 56th class), is currently serving in the 1st Division. Female Second Lieutenant Cheon Jiwon (23) was the first cadet selected as one of the 'Army's Elite 300 Combatants' in 2018 and received the Golden Beret, enhancing the honor of KMA.

Three foreign military cadets also attracted attention. Thai cadet Chayut (26) improved his basic physical strength, which was a weakness, through the 'KMA Physical Training Program' and was selected as the 'Top Physical Fitness' cadet. Vietnamese cadet Le Dinh Hoang (24) plans to pursue a master's degree in Defense Industry at Kwangwoon University after graduation to enhance his expertise in the related field. Second Lieutenant Jeong Geomok (23) won the 73kg category at the 35th Seoul Mayor's Judo Tournament in 2019 and received the Most Valuable Player award, earning a total of 12 medals over four years. Second Lieutenant Yoon Sunghyun (22) participated in the 'Sandhurst' competition hosted by the U.S. Military Academy for three consecutive years.

To encourage the newly commissioned officers taking their first steps as officers and to wish them good fortune, congratulatory video messages from the President, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, National Assembly Defense Committee Chairman Ahn Kyu-baek, as well as prominent figures from various fields, parent representatives, and senior field officers were also screened.

Meanwhile, the event, hosted by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, was held without inviting families or external guests as a preventive measure to block the spread of COVID-19 in the community and within the military. Accordingly, the ceremony was conducted internally, and for families unable to attend, it was broadcast live via Defense TV's YouTube channel and the Defense Media Agency's Facebook page.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.