Gov't, ruling party vow to swiftly push for integrated military academy

The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Thursday pledged to swiftly push ahead with the establishment of an integrated military academy of the Army, Navy and Air Force, a move they say would sharply enhance their country's defense capabilities in the fast changing environment.

The government and the ruling party were expected to unveil a detailed plan later in the day, following their policy consultation meeting at the National Assembly.

"Unfortunately, the current system of having separate academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force faces a number of practical limitations," Rep.

Han Byung-do, the acting leader of the DPK, said at the start of the meeting.

Rep.

Han said setting up the unified academy to train future defense leaders is a "task that can no longer be put off," stressing that the DPK will spare no effort to help develop the institution into a world-class military academy.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back expressed his commitment to military reforms.

"As the first civilian defense minister in 64 years, I have never expected the path toward defense reform to ...