The first Korean female ROTC program begins at Sookmyung Women
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- Writer 총관리자
- 보도일자 2011-03-28
A launching ceremony of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for female cadets at Sookmyung Women''s University was held on 10 December 2010 in Sookmyung Centennial Building.
The South Korean Defense Ministry finally admitted women into it''s college-based Reserve Officers'' Training Program for the first time after 50 years of history during which the program had been run only for men. The ceremony was executed in a great solemn manner.
About 2000 people including the 15th batch cadet candidate Yeseul Kim, Freshman majoring in Business, and the rest of other 29 female cadet candidates, their parents, special guests, and a group of cadet candidates in Seoul attended the ceremony to celebrate the opening of the program.
The ceremony started with the report of establishment of the new army unit, then the distribution of the unit flag, a speech by Major General Seung-woo Lee, Chief of the Army Cadet Command, and a congratulatory address by President Myeongsil Han were followed. When the thirty Sookmyung cadet candidates saluted at President Han, they looked more than ready to develop a fighting military spirit.
"Due to the North Korea''s artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island, the Korean Peninsula is under a transitional security situation. The establishment of the ROTC program of Sookmyung Women''s University here bears a significant historic meaning," said Major General Lee. Then, he urged, "I call on you to be part of strong army taking responsibility to the fullest and to gain the confidence of the people of Korea as the first female cadet candidates."
President Han stated in her address, "Perceiving the critical need for women''s education for the sake of the nation''s survival in time of difficulty, Myungsin Girl''s School which evolved into Sookmyung Women''s University was founded. The establishment of Female ROTC program is responding to the call passed down from the past of Sookmyung''s History." She continued, "Female Officers were already appointed in France in the 19th century, and there have been several female ministers of National Defense in other countries including Fin land. Defending homeland is not a task which is only given to men. Not only men, but women are also able to fight and shed blood for their country and their people." President Han encouraged the female cadet candidates to be equipped with a strong sense of duty and responsibility fitting the military spirit as well in the address.
Some of cadet candidates drew attention by following their parents'' footsteps as military officers. Both the father and mother of Jihyun Min were military officers trained as a cadet of ROTC and a cadet at the Military Academy respectively before their daughter. Influenced by Father who had been an ROTC cadet, Bohyun Kim majoring in Craft made a decision to be a professional soldier as well. She got the highest score in all the three events of the Army Physical Fitness Test as she showed off that she came from military family.
Cadet Candidate Heeyeon Kim, a sophomore student majoring in Korean Literature, said in her interview, "I feel very nervous as I believe the first impression is more important than anything else. I have been working out very hard to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test for the program. I want to continue to work in the military even after the period of mandatory service is over to play a part safeguarding the country."