Oath by Freshman Representative at Entrance Ceremony on 24th
National Team Member in 8th Grade... Asian Games Bronze Medalist
Kim Minju (19), a former national swimming representative and bronze medalist at the 2018 Asian Games, has attracted attention by entering the Korea Air Force Academy as the top student.
According to Yonhap News on the 24th, Kim, who transformed from an 'athlete' to a 'cadet,' took the oath of admission as the representative of 229 new cadets at the 75th entrance ceremony of the Korea Air Force Academy held that day. Among the new cadets, 34 are women, including Kim.
On the morning of the 24th, at the Air Force Academy in Cheongju, Kim Minju, who was the top entrant of the 75th class of the Air Force Academy, is taking the entrance oath as the representative of the new cadets during the entrance ceremony. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Selected as the youngest national swimming representative in 2018 when she was in the second year of middle school, she won a bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay at the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games held in Indonesia that same year. The following year, at the 10th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships held in India in 2019, she won a total of four medals: two gold, one silver, and one bronze, while breaking three competition records and being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The appearance of cadet Kim Minju when she won the Asian Age Group Swimming Competition held in India in 2019. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Although she was a promising prospect in Korean women's short-distance swimming events, she had a strong desire to experience fields beyond swimming. After much consideration, she quit swimming in her second year of high school and challenged herself with a new dream of becoming a pilot. Kim’s mother, Jang Eunseong, told Yonhap News, "Minju was very eager to study even while training, never missing classes. Suddenly, she said she wanted to quit swimming and become a pilot, and then applied to the Air Force Academy."
Afterward, Kim diligently prepared for the Air Force Academy selection process, which consisted of written exams, physical tests, and interviews, ultimately achieving the honor of being the top successful candidate. She also successfully completed the intensive four-week training course before admission, which included basic physical training and mental education.
Kim said, "The training process was tough and difficult, but since it was the path I dreamed of, I gave it my all," expressing her aspiration, "I will grow into a splendid Air Force officer and become a proud soldier who protects our airspace."
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