95% Reappointment Rate Over the Past Decade
"Rigorous Review Process"
The Ministry of National Defense announced that approximately 40% of candidates failed the reappointment review for military professors at the ranks of lieutenant colonel and colonel.
On December 22, the Ministry of National Defense stated that it conducted the 2025 reappointment review for military professors at the lieutenant colonel and colonel levels on December 16. Out of a total of 14 candidates, 8 (57%) were selected as final qualified candidates. Six candidates, accounting for 43% of the total, failed the reappointment review.
The reappointment review system was first introduced in 2009 to strengthen the educational and research capabilities of military professors. If a professor is selected as a qualified candidate twice during their term, they are guaranteed tenure until the age of 60.
Over the past 10 years (the review is conducted biennially, for a total of five times), 55 out of 58 candidates were selected, resulting in a selection rate of 95%. However, this year, the selection rate dropped to an unusually low 57%. The Ministry explained that this was the result of a rigorous review process that comprehensively examined both quantitative and qualitative evaluations.
A Ministry of National Defense official explained, "This measure is intended to heighten a sense of tension and strengthen accountability within the military professor community," adding, "Candidates were selected through a comprehensive review of their quantitative achievements as professors and qualitative evaluations from their superiors."
Accordingly, among the 14 military professors subject to this reappointment review from the Korea Military Academy, Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon, Armed Forces Nursing Academy, and Korea National Defense University, a total of 8 were selected as final qualified candidates: 2 from the Korea Military Academy, 2 from the Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon, 1 from the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, and 3 from the Korea National Defense University. All candidates under review were from the Army. Due to the personnel management conditions of the respective branches, the Navy and Air Force have not yet had any candidates for reappointment review, as their officers retire at the standard rank retirement age.
A Ministry of National Defense official stated, "This review focused on more precisely verifying the expertise and character of military professors to enhance the overall quality of military education," and added, "We will continue to supplement and develop the reappointment review system so that military professors can devote themselves to their core duties of education and research."
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