Mandatory military service period to be reduced to 18 months by next year

[satoori]

Mandatory military service period to be reduced to 18 months by next year

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Wednesday it will complete reducing the mandatory military service period to 18 months by next year as planned as part of a series of reform projects under way to make the military "smaller and stronger."

During a meeting on defense reform presided over by Defense Minister Suh Wook, officials said the military is on course to cut the service period for Army draftees to 18 months by December 2021, according to the ministry.

All able-bodied South Korean men must carry out compulsory military service for about two years in a country that faces North Korea across a heavily fortified border.

Other reform measures include raising the proportion of female service members and decreasing the number of generals with one to four stars.

The number of female service members stood at 7.4 percent this year, 0.6 percentage point higher than the previous year.

Among 76 general positions subject to reduction, 46 have been cut so far, the ministry said.

South Korea has been reorganizing units and deploying weapons developed with latest technologies to cope with a shrinking population.

In October, Mo Jong-hwa, the chief of the military recruitment agency, said the country is expected to experience troop shortage starting in 2032.

"The defense ministry will continue efforts to effectively wrap up the reform by the current administration," the ministry said in a release.

[starsocks]

Conscription is necessary but ultimately depressing, it's nice to see it relaxing a little from time to time

[satoori]

In case you missed it - 

"Under the Defense Reform 2.0 plans, submitted to President Moon Jae-in on Friday, the service period for army and marine corps draftees will be reduced from 21 months to 18 months by 2022, the Yonhap news agency reported."

"Beginning with soldiers to be released October 1st, 2018, the reduction of service period will be in effect. The total number of days reduced will increase one day per two weeks, eventually to cut down three months from the soldiers’ military duties."

 

JULY 2018 - South Korea to reduce length of mandatory military service

Spoiler

SEOUL: The South Korean military will gradually shorten the length of its mandatory military service, local media reported on Friday (Jul 27).

Under the Defense Reform 2.0 plans, submitted to President Moon Jae-in on Friday, the service period for army and marine corps draftees will be reduced from 21 months to 18 months by 2022, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Those serving in the navy will have their service reduced from 23 months to 20 months, while those in the air force will have their term shortened from 24 months to 22 months.

The military also plans to slash the total number of its forces from the current 618,000 active-duty troops to 500,000 by 2022, as well as cut the number of its generals from 436 to 360, the report said.

The reform plans come as South Korea seeks to streamline its military in the face of technological advancements, and demographic changes sparked by a low birth rate.

"Our military has established Defense Reform 2.0. based on the recognition that reform is an order from the people that can no longer be delayed, in light of the transitional security situation that we have never experienced before, and social changes, such as the demographic change and the fourth industrial revolution," said the defence ministry in a press release, as cited by Yonhap.

"It is a set of special measures to realise a strong military and responsible defence that can buttress a peaceful and strong Republic of Korea in the security situation of a transitional period and amid constraints in policy formulation," it added.

Military service is compulsory for all able-bodied South Korean males aged 18 and above, with many young men having to put their studies or careers on hiatus.

“The reduction in military service time will relieve some of the burden of military service on young people, who are experiencing difficulties in areas such as their studies and finding a job,” said the ministry. 

“Servicemen entering society earlier will contribute to the effective utilisation of our national human resources.”

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/south-korea-military-service-reduce-length-army-10569914

 

OCT 2018 - The Korean Military Has Reduced Mandatory Enlistment Length, Here’s What That Means For Male Idols

Spoiler

South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense announced its decision to gradually reduce the length of mandatory military enlistment for South Korean male citizens.

Beginning with soldiers to be released October 1st, 2018, the reduction of service period will be in effect. The total number of days reduced will increase one day per two weeks, eventually to cut down three months from the soldiers’ military duties.

The gradual reduction process is applied to have begun January 3rd, 2017 — meaning those in service now will also be affected by this change in policy.

Once the policy is in full effect, the Republic of Korea Army and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps soldiers will serve 18 months and the Republic of Korea Navy soldiers will serve 20 months. As for the Republic of Korea Air Force soldiers, the reduction will be a total of two months to serve 22 months. The Air Force already cut down a month in 2004 to increase enlistment rates.

Those serving their military duties as service workers will now serve 21 months. Those serving as skilled industry personnel will now work 23 months.

As for the concern regarding the reduction weakening the national military power, the Ministry of National Defense confirmed, “We are helping the drafted soldiers to focus on combat duties by minimizing their non-combat related duties. Any work that requires mastery will be carried out by non-commissioned officers.”

“This is also to minimize the pressure on South Korean male citizens to enlist, by reducing the time they must spend away from their educational endeavors or careers. The shortened enlistment periods will allow the male citizens of South Korea to return to the society earlier and contribute as part of the national manpower.” — Ministry of National Defense

The ministry added, “The reduction of military duty must be reported to the National Defense Commission, passed by the council, and ultimately approved by the President of South Korea to take full effect.”

 

Meanwhile, fans are hopeful as this policy would guarantee an earlier return to stage for many K-Pop idols serving in the military as of now. Check out the date chart below to find out how many days would be reduced from your K-Pop artist’s mIlitary duty.

Spoiler

https://www.koreaboo.com/news/south-korea-military-reduced-military-enlistment-length-affect-male-idols/

 

 

Edited December 16, 2020 by satoori
fixed.

[Augusto]

Good decision. 12 months military service is even better, it minimizes the opportunity for the hazing of younger recruits (well, in SK is all about age anyway, so maybe it's not the case).

[Phoenix Wright]

It's the right thing to do. Fortunately (And I hope I'm right) it will never be a new war between North and South.

[MissBlack]

People even postpone getting married because of the military service. I think they should take that into account, 'cause their population has gone down.

[Bitoku]

wasn't it already 18 months?

[Guest]

It's not such a big change but it's still something!

I hope that one day South Korea will be able to not rely on mandatory military service anymore and have only professionnal soldiers and military! 

[cameron]

On 12/16/2020 at 1:05 PM, Phoenix Wright said:

It's the right thing to do. Fortunately (And I hope I'm right) it will never be a new war between North and South.

Don't Jinx it Please.