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Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek delivers a settlement report for the 2025 fiscal year at a plenary meeting of the National Assembly National Defense Committee on the 20th. / Yonhap

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek will not attend the public hearing on establishing the Armed Forces Academy, which integrates the army, naval, and air force academies, it was confirmed.

Jeong Bit-na, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated at a regular press briefing held at the Ministry building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 24th that the decision not to attend was made in consideration of various ministerial schedules.

Spokesperson Jeong added, "A public hearing is a venue to gather opinions from various stakeholders. A wide range of opinions will be gathered, including from pros and cons debate panels," saying, "There was no prior notice that the minister would attend, nor do we consider the minister's attendance a decisive factor in holding the public hearing. This public hearing is not a one-off event. Please stay tuned."

Meanwhile, the public hearing on the Armed Forces Academy will be held on the 26th at the MND Convention in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The Ministry of National Defense plans to collect opinions gathered through this public hearing and other channels, and announce detailed establishment plans within October.

                                                                                                             Lee Han-sol