The defense ministry said Thursday it will look for better ways to gather public input on a plan to merge the Army, Navy and Air Force academies after a hearing on the proposal broke down in shouting and booing. The hearing followed last month’s basic plan and reflected strong opposition from alumni groups and cadets. The government plans further briefings and a final blueprint in October.
Participants argue during a public hearing on the government's plan to consolidate three military academies at the Korea Defense Convention Center in Yongsan, Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
The defense ministry said Thursday it will consider more effective ways to gather public input on its plan to merge three military academies, after the first hearing on the proposal ended in a complete shambles.
The ministry-hosted hearing descended into bedlam on Wednesday as angry alumni and cadets opposing the plan engaged in shouting matches to vent their objections, booing and hurling invectives at a senior ministry official who came to brief them on the merger plan.
The disruption marred the first public hearing held since the government unveiled its basic plan last month to consolidate the military academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force, a key policy drive of the Lee Jae Myung administration.
