S Korea to consider consolidating military, naval, air force academies

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea is pushing ahead with its blueprint to consolidate its military, naval and air force academies into one, Seoul's Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

"The government is showing a strong will to push for the plan as it will not only increase efficiency in nurturing military officers but also has a symbolic meaning in terms of national defense reform," an unnamed source was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

The government is mulling whether to completely merge Korea Military Academy, Korea Air Force Academy and Republic of Korea Naval Academy at once or to provide joint training for the first two years, the source added.

The plan surfaced earlier this year, but the country's Ministry of National Defense, known to be opposed to the plan for its perceived lack of practicality, has stated it is only chewing on the idea.

Military experts have been split on the issue, with some saying the merge will provide more consistency and efficiency while others calling the plan unnecessary.

The issue will be discussed in a newly-created committee on defense reform under the defense minister, according to Yonhap.