The Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason University (CSPS Korea) made a visit to the Korea Army Academy at Yeong-cheon (KAAY) from November 9 to November 10 for an informative and educational trip on security studies.
The field trip consisted of lectures, seminars and dialogue on “leadership in conflict” and “the importance of the Republic of Korea (ROK) - United States (US) alliance”. The voluntary student fellows, acquired different perspectives on international security and obtained fresh input about security from a military standpoint.
Commonly known as “Choongsungdae”, KAAY is a military academy of the Republic of Korea Army that trains officer cadets and produces the largest number of junior officers in the Korean Army. To get a glimpse of what it is like at KAAY, the CSPS Korea team began their packed schedule by meeting the KAAY superintendent Major General Jeongyeol Seo, who proudly exclaimed their anthem, “Never, Never, Never Give up!” Later in the afternoon, the team attended the 7thLeadership Seminar at KAAY, which covered the topics “organizational leadership” and “battlefield leadership”. After the seminar, the team toured the military academy, which is also home to the largest military training field in East Asia. Along the journey, they had the opportunity to interact with several military officials and KAAY cadets.
On the following day, the student fellows participated in a special lecture on military security and the importance of the ROK - US alliance along with ten cadets. Captain Jimin Kwon, professor of North Korean Studies at KAAY, offered unique, but factual insight on security concerns from the military standpoint. He lectured on the Mutual Defense Treaty, the necessity of the ROK-US alliance, the status quo of North Korea and South Korea relations, and the security concerns on the Korean peninsula. Afterwards, the fellows and the cadets engaged in an active discourse on the lecture materials and exchanged viewpoints on the ROK- US alliance and what security means to them.
In reflection of the field trip, student fellow Huiyong Kim (Global Affairs, ’18) said, “As someone who has completed the mandatory military service, this field trip served as a reminder that the war between North and South Korea is still potential. It was interesting to see the contrast of how the Korean public sees the relationship between the two Koreas and how the military view security threats on the peninsula. It was also interesting to see the cadet lifestyle and how they are educated in the academy.”
In reflection of the field trip, Dr. Soyoung Kwon, professor of Global Affairs, stated, “I believe that university is where you broaden your perspective and acquire deep knowledge. Students should explore different places and learning environments, and I think that this experience gave students the opportunity to do just that. In the future, I hope that CSPS can explore more chances in the future, and strengthen the bond among the fellows along the way.”
Meanwhile, CSPS Korea, a branch of CSPS at George Mason University Arlington under the Schar School of Policy and Government, plans to enact further activities and events in Spring 2019. Further information regarding the center is provided at http://csps.gmu.edu/csps-korea/
Written by Haseung Joung | Managing Editor
hjoung@masonlive.gmu.edu
Comments