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Defense Minister Delivers Special Lecture on "Bonlib Doseong: when the foundation is established, the right path emerges"

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

2025-11-17

On Monday, November 10, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back delivered a special lecture aimed at strengthening the capabilities of battalion commanders at the small auditorium of the Army College in Jaundae, Daejeon.

The lecture was attended by 119 student officers enrolled in the five-week educational program preparing prospective battalion commanders, as well as key officers including the president of the Army College, the Chief of the Army Headquarters Intelligence and Operations Division, and the Head of the Army Combat Readiness and Safety Group.

This special lecture was organized to establish the right leadership of a battalion commander, who is the key to a unit's command, and to narrow the gap between the Defense Ministry and field units. It was especially meaningful that field commanders were able to hear from Minister Ahn Gyu-back, the first civilian defense minister in 64 years, about his philosophy on duties and leadership.

The theme of the lecture was "Precious My Life," based on the idea that "When the foundation is established, the right path emerges" Minister Ahn emphasized to the participants that establishing a proper life philosophy is essential not only for one's personal life but also as the foundation for effective military leadership.

Minister Ahn urged prospective battalion commanders to prioritize accident prevention, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the fundamentals and practicing sincerity.

He emphasized that most military accidents stem from neglecting the basics and instructed officers to rigorously apply the "Plan-Do-See-Check" principle to every task to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Minister Ahn emphasized, "We must treat each soldier with the utmost sincerity, fully recognizing the value of life." He urged prospective commanders to adopt a leadership philosophy grounded in adhering to the basics and practicing sincerity, reminding them that "wherever commanders take responsible action, accidents do not occur."

After the lecture, Minister Ahn engaged in several hours of open communication and a Q&A session with the participating officers.

Lieutenant Colonel Park Jong-cheol, who attended the session, remarked, "It was a valuable opportunity for me to reflect on the attitude a battalion commander should embody. I am committed to growing into an exemplary commander by adhering to the basics and applying fundamental principles consistently."