Ahn Gyu-baek Visits 35th Division Recruit Training Battalion: "Must Be the Starting Point for Cultivating 500,000 Drone Warfare Specialists"

"Drones Should Be Positioned as the Second Personal Weapon"

On November 20, Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek stated, "Please make every effort to establish a drone training system so that basic military training can serve as the starting point for cultivating 500,000 drone warfare specialists."

Minister Ahn visited the 35th Division's Recruit Training Battalion that day to inspect the training site and encourage the soldiers. He emphasized, "Going forward, drones should be positioned as the second personal weapon," making his intentions clear.

Minister Ahn also visited the site of the final 20-kilometer march conducted by recruits one week before graduation and personally encouraged those who completed the march. He stated, "A sense of real combat cannot be expressed in writing or conveyed through words," and added, "It is a soldier's destiny and a very important duty to develop 'combat instincts' through realistic training."

In addition, Minister Ahn reviewed the recruit training system and its development plans, as well as the implementation of drone and counter-drone training for new recruits. He also discussed the recruit training system, considering the military restructuring planned for 2040, with key officials present at the site.

Minister Ahn remarked, "Recruit training is the first step in becoming a soldier. Please guide the recruits with sensitivity rather than logic," and added, "Right here at the Recruit Training Battalion, we must earn the public's trust and build the strength to win in battle. Please do your utmost to nurture elite soldiers with this sense of mission."