A Korean language teacher turned into a military cadet

Great attention has been paid to a story of a former teacher at a middle school who entered the R.O.K. Army Third Military Academy.

Park Yoon-mi, 24, entered the Korea Army Academy on the 56th entrance ceremony on Friday. Achieving a bachelor’s degree in Korean language education at Sangmyung University, she taught students in middle school in a short-term teaching position.

It was her brother, Park Ji-yong, who inspired her to become a military officer candidate. He serves as sergeant first class at the Ground Operations Command. She had long admired military officers thanks to her brother. Last year, she made up her mind to enter the army academy and quit her job last July after pondering upon her career path between a teacher and a military officer. Her brother taught her that a military officer is a rewarded and honored occupation just as a teaching job, she said. It was her determination to solidify her body, mind and soul so that juniors can trust and follow her.

A total of 529 candidates joined the ceremony. Park Da-ae, 24, failed at getting accepted to the junior reserve officer’s training corps four times; and the army academy three times. However, she realized her dream eventually. Cho Kyu-ho, 22, and Ryu Dong-hyuk, 23, are to follow into the footsteps of their fathers, who currently serve as military officers.

In his congratulatory speech, Army Third Military Academy chief Hwang Dae-il encouraged the cadets to grow into competent and committed officers.


Hyo-Ju Son hjson@donga.com