"Gradual Reduction and Eventual Abolition of Military Exemptions Is the Goal"... Lawmakers Offer Divergent Alternatives

[Anchor]

During the parliamentary audit of the Ministry of National Defense held today (October 7), Minister Kang Shin-chul stated that the goal regarding the recently controversial military service exemption system is to "gradually scale it back and ultimately abolish it." While the political arena spoke with one voice for the first time in a long while on the need to overhaul the military exemption system, the proposed solutions were split in multiple directions.

Reporter Choi Jae-yeong has our top story today.

[Reporter]

The heads of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism—the two ministries overseeing the military service exemption system—were in full agreement that the remarks and conduct of certain national team athletes set to receive military exemptions through this year's Asian Games were inappropriate.

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: "I found it deeply regrettable that the duty of national defense was disparaged."]

[Choi Hwi-young / Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Truly immature..."]

Lawmakers pointed out that the original purpose of introducing the exemption system—to enhance national prestige—has faded, and that the public's perspective on mandatory military service must be taken seriously into account.

[Cho Eun-hee / People Power Party lawmaker: "Young men have their studies and careers interrupted for a year and a half. Yet professional athletes continue their careers earning high salaries while also receiving military benefits. Is this truly fair?"]

However, subtle differences in stance were evident between the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism over whether to "scale down" or "abolish" the system.

[Kang Shin-chul / Minister of National Defense: "The Ministry of National Defense's goal regarding military service exemptions is to gradually scale them back and ultimately abolish them."]

[Choi Hwi-young / Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Naturally, we have no choice but to move toward scaling it down. But while reducing it, the question is how we compensate for the positive aspects..."]

Lawmakers presented a variety of alternative solutions.

Some suggested selecting beneficiaries through cumulative evaluations, akin to accumulating mileage points,

[Cho Gye-won / Democratic Party lawmaker: "So that military exemption benefits can also be granted based on points, according to what they have cumulatively contributed..."]

while another proposal called for allowing enlistment deferrals until the late 30s instead of full exemptions.

[Chun Ha-ram / Reform Party lawmaker: "If we allow exemptions until their late 30s—that is, grant a deferral—wouldn't most of them be able to conclude their careers as athletes or performers?"]

There was also an opinion calling for completely scrapping the system altogether.

[Lim Jong-deuk / People Power Party lawmaker: "Abolish the entire military service exemption system altogether. Eliminate all of it, and if there are necessary aspects, address them through a separate system."]

With as many as seven government ministries involved in the military service exemption system, complex coordination among them will be required, meaning it will likely take considerable time before the government finalizes a plan.

(Video by Kim Hyeon-sang | Video Editing by Nam Il)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.