ROTC Scholarship Foundation Awards Scholarships to Representative Students of Junior ROTC from Schools Nationwide

ROTC Central Association: "We Will Strive to Expand 'Junior ROTC,' the Mecca of National Spirit and Character Education"... Inauguration Ceremony at Gyeongbuk Andong High and Munchang High on the 18th, Junior ROTC Schools Expanded to 21 Nationwide

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Korea ROTC Central Association (President Park Jin-seo) announced on the 10th that it held a scholarship award ceremony for ‘Junior ROTC’ students, the future leaders, at the ROTC Central Hall (located in Seocho-gu, Seoul), hosted by the (Foundation) ROTC Scholarship Foundation (Chairman Choi Yong-do).

At this first scholarship award ceremony for Junior ROTC, scholarship grants of 500,000 KRW each were awarded to representative students from 19 Junior ROTC schools nationwide, including Seoul Konkuk University High School, Kyunghee High School, Incheon Songdo High School, Jemulpo High School, Paju Hanmin High School, Daegu Kyungwon High School, and Gyeongbuk Yeongju High School.

Park Jin-seo, President of the ROTC Central Association, said, “The U.S. Junior ROTC was founded in 1916 and has a history of over 100 years. Currently, it operates in about 3,500 high schools, educating foundational leadership for future national leaders of the United States.” He added, “Although Korea started late, the Junior ROTC system has been introduced in 19 high schools nationwide, and with the inauguration ceremonies at Gyeongan High School and Munchang High School in Gyeongbuk on the 18th, it will expand to 21 high schools nationwide.”

He also stated, “Now more than ever, it is necessary to establish a proper sense of national identity and character education for growing youth. Junior ROTC is exactly the type of talent Korea needs and will be the main force for a unified Korea. As a civilian organization, the ROTC Central Association will actively work to expand Junior ROTC in high schools targeting youth who will lead Korea,” he added.

Choi Yong-do, Chairman of the ROTC Scholarship Foundation, said, “During my tenure as the 17th President of the ROTC Central Association, I founded Junior ROTC at Incheon Songdo High School, and it is very meaningful to see Junior ROTC expand nationwide as a result.” He continued, “The ROTC Scholarship Foundation annually provides scholarships to cadet candidates from 118 university military units nationwide and to children of overseas alumni in North America and Southeast Asia. It is very meaningful to now extend scholarships to Junior ROTC students as well.”

Junior ROTC operates as clubs in 19 high schools nationwide, conducting security education, military base training experiences, and security field trips, as well as democratic citizenship education (including awareness of order, law-abiding spirit, and community consciousness), leadership development education, character education, physical training, and various volunteer activities.

Additionally, it conducts security lectures and military training in cooperation with local ROTC military units and the Army Cadet Military School. Junior ROTC students from U.S. 8th Army high schools stationed in Korea (Seoul American High School, Pyeongtaek Humphrey High School) also engage in exchange activities with Junior ROTC at Kennedy High School in Guam, USA.

The ROTC Central Association plans to hold a ‘Junior ROTC System Development Seminar’ with members of the National Assembly at the National Assembly Members’ Hall in early July to attract interest from related agencies such as the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and Ministry of Unification. In early September, a ‘National Junior ROTC Joint Military Training Experience Event’ is planned at the Army Cadet Military School.

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