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Military Academy has female cadets as top 3 honor students

Military Academy has female cadets as top 3 honor students

Posted February. 25, 2017 07:15,   

Updated February. 25, 2017 07:21

한국어
In 71 years since its foundation, the class of 2016 at Korea Military Academy (KMA) had all female cadets as the top three honor students.

According to Republic of Korea Army, the 24-year-old Lee Eun-ae won the Presidential Award, graduating magna cum laude at the graduation ceremony for the 73rd graduates on Friday. The Prime Minister's Award went to the 22-year-old Kim Mi-so, followed by the Minister of Defense award given to the 23-year-old Lee Hyo-jin. While there were only 24 female cadets among the total of 248 graduates, female cadets swept the top three places.

Female cadets also topped in 2012 and 2013, but it was the first time when the top three places were dominated by ladies since the military academy opened as "South Chosun Defense and Security Academy" in 1946. Cum laude graduates are chosen under the category of curriculum grades (intellectual competency at 50 percent), military theory and training (military at 25 percent), and physical education and fitness test physical at 15 percent).

The 73rd graduates of KMA including Lee Eun-ae will be commissioned second lieutenant at a joint commission ceremony held at Gyeryongdae, the home for the armed forces, the army, navy, and air force headquarters are stationed on March 8. Lee chose the infantry branch and will serve as a platoon leader at field forces. "I ran over 5 kilometers everyday to develop the strength I lacked," Lee said. "I will become an elite officer who will not only think but also serve as a patriot."



Hyo-Ju Son hjson@donga.com