Army Holds Joint Commissioning Ceremony, Commissions 407 New Second Lieutenants

On June 27, a total of 407 new officers, including the 70th class of Officer Candidate School graduates and the 46th class of Warrant Officer School graduates, were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army.

According to the Army, the "2025 Republic of Korea Army Officer Joint Commissioning Ceremony" was held that day at the Army Cadet Military School in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province, presided over by Ko Changjun, Acting Chief of Staff of the Army. The newly commissioned officers underwent 14 to 16 weeks of intensive education and training, including studies in tactics, combat technology, and military science, as well as a comprehensive commissioning evaluation.

The Presidential Award was presented to Second Lieutenant Jeong Hyohoon (Kyungwoon University, Officer Candidate). The Prime Minister's Award went to Second Lieutenant Hwang Boseonho (Yeungnam University, Officer Candidate), while the Minister of National Defense Award was given to Second Lieutenant Kim Sunghwan (Hanseo University, Officer Candidate) and Second Lieutenant Jeon Junho (Kyung Hee Cyber University, Warrant Officer).

The commissioning ceremony highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the new officers. Second Lieutenant Oh Doyeol (Officer Candidate) is a descendant of an anti-Japanese militia leader; his great-grandfather, Kang Pansu, served as a militia leader in the Naju and Hwasun areas of South Jeolla Province in 1908. In recognition of his achievements, the government posthumously awarded him the Patriotic Medal of the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 2013.

Second Lieutenant Lee Yonghyeon (Officer Candidate) is the grandson of Lee Euicheon, a Korean War veteran who fought in the Battle of Dabudong during the 6·25 War. Lee Euicheon was awarded the Chungmu Order of Military Merit for his distinguished service.

There are also cases of three generations devoted to the nation. Second Lieutenant Woo Jihyun's (Officer Candidate) grandfather, Woo Suseong, was a first-class Army officer who retired as a lieutenant colonel, and his father, Woo Seokje, is a graduate of the 52nd class of the Korea Military Academy and is currently serving as the commander of the 51st Division (Army Major General).

Second Lieutenant Ahn Junhyeok's (Officer Candidate) grandfather, Ahn Deuksun, served in the Vietnam War and retired as an Army sergeant first class, while his father, Ahn Dongho, retired as an Army warrant officer after serving as an aviation warrant officer.

After completing the commissioning ceremony, the new officers will undergo approximately four months of "New Officer Command and Staff Course" training at their respective branch schools before being assigned to front-line and rear units.