Increasing Number of Dropped-Out Korea Military Academy Students... More Than Half Are Freshmen

On the 27th, graduates are saluting at the '75th Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony' held at the Korea Military Academy in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The number of cadets withdrawing from the Korea Military Academy is expected to reach a record high this year. Despite boasting high entrance exam competition rates every year, there are concerns that the school's lack of proper management is causing the loss of talented individuals.

According to Kang Dae-sik, a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee from the People Power Party, the number of cadets withdrawing from the Korea Military Academy was 8 in 2018, 17 in 2019, and 19 in 2020, but reached 18 by October this year. Over approximately four years, the total number of withdrawals is 62.

The problem is that the withdrawal rate among first-year cadets is increasing. Of the 62 cadets, 43 were first-year students, accounting for about 69%.

Reasons for withdrawal include maladjustment to military service and reattempting entrance exams for career changes. However, Kang pointed out that considering the entrance exam competition rate for the academy was 26 to 1 this year alone, first-year cadets withdrawing immediately after admission deprives other applicants of opportunities.

Kang said, "It is necessary to thoroughly verify military spirit, national perspective, and motivation during the entrance process," adding, "When a withdrawal request is made, efforts should be made to listen to and resolve difficulties through interviews with instructors and others."

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