A Diagnosis and Implications of Character Education in the South Korean Military

Abstract

A Diagnosis and Implications of Character Education in the South Korean Military

Jungbag Bang* & Gyunyeol Park**

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to diagnose the current status of character education in the South Korean military and suggest implications for improvement. For this purpose, we used the method of ‘participant observation’, which involves directly participating in intensive character education sites, observing, and conducting interviews. Participant observation was conducted targeting three groups implementing character education, and the level of participation was ‘passive participation’. The focus of participant observation was to observe soldiers’ participation in watching videos, using art aids, and team discussion activities. And the extent to which soldiers were satisfied was confirmed through individual interviews. As a result of the study, soldiers actively participated in watching videos, using art tools, and team discussions, and showed high satisfaction. Based on these participation results, implications for the development of future character education programs were presented. In order to make good use of this opportunity, national and social interest and support for character education in the military is urgently needed. The National Assembly and the government should significantly increase the budget, private professional organizations should continue to develop and support quality programs suitable for the military, and commanders should strive to improve the educational environment of their units.

Key Words: Character Education, Intensive Character Education, Military Education, Art Tools, Participant Observation

□ Received: Nov. 30, 2022, Revised: Dec. 28, 2023, Accepted: Dec. 28, 2023 ＊ First Author, Open Cyber Univ. of Korea ** Corresponding Author, Gyeongsang National Univ., Email: pgy556@daum.net) I. Introduction