Page 97 - 2018 Defense White Paper

offer master’s and doctoral degree programs, and around 300 candidates are selected every year

for programs mainly in advanced science and technology f ields, including robotics and artif icial
intelligence, for the ROK Armed Forces’ leadership in future battlef ields.
Overseas military education is aimed at fostering regional experts and training students to

acquire advanced military knowledge, operate weapons systems, and master combat techniques.
Around 300 candidates are sent every year to study in various types of educational institutions
including defense graduate schools, command and general staff colleges, and military occupation

schools in some 40 countries. To broaden the geographic reach of military diplomacy and
enhance defense cooperation with other nations, overseas military education destinations are
Chapter 3
diversifying to include countries in the Middle East, South America, Eastern Europe, and

Africa.

2. Improvement of the Development and Refresher
Training System

| Objectives | To foster elite servicemembers demanded in the battlef ield, the MND is
improving the school education system in an effect-based manner. The school education system
has two components—development training to convert civilians into soldiers, and refresher
training to help soldiers acquire the basic knowledge and skills necessary to carry out missions

specif ic to their military occupations, ranks, and positions. The lecture-centered education led
by instructors is being transformed into a student-led participation-based education involving
discussions and practices, and problem-solving education. Meanwhile, the curriculum is being

improved considering the changes in the defense environment such as the adoption of cutting
edge weapons systems, and advancements in science and technology. To foster superior off icers,
the MND has been enhancing the education systems of military academies, pilot-operating the

Reserve Noncommissioned Officers’ Training Corps, and vitalizing defense online education
programs. It also plans to improve the training system for newly enlisted soldiers, and restructure
the Korea National Defense University and the Joint Forces Military University in connection

with Defense Reform 2.0. The overview of courses run by educational institutions belonging to
each service branch and joint units, as well as units directly controlled by the MND, is shown
in [Chart 3-11].

Section 6 Strengthening Education and Training Focused on Combat Missions 95