[Anchor]

During the parliamentary audit of the Ministry of National Defense held today (October 7), Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul stated that the goal is to "gradually reduce and ultimately abolish" the controversial military service exemption system. While political circles spoke with one voice for the first time in a long while on the need to overhaul the military service exemption system, the proposed solutions varied widely.

Choi Jae-yeong reports as our top story today.

[Reporter]

The heads of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism—the government agencies overseeing the military exemption system—both agreed that the behavior and remarks of certain national athletes set to receive military exemptions through this year's Asian Games were inappropriate.

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

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

Lawmakers pointed out that the original purpose of the exemption system—enhancing national prestige—has faded, and that the public sentiment regarding mandatory military service must be carefully considered.

[Cho Eun-hee / People Power Party Lawmaker: "Young men have their studies and careers interrupted for a year and a half. But professional athletes continue their careers with high salaries and even receive military benefits—is this truly fair?"]

However, there is a subtle difference in stance between the Defense Ministry and the Culture Ministry regarding whether to "reduce" or "abolish" the system.

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

[Choi Hwi-young / Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Of course, we have no choice but to move toward reduction. But while reducing it, how to supplement the positive aspects..."]

The alternatives proposed by lawmakers were diverse.

Some suggested selecting beneficiaries through cumulative evaluations, much like accumulating points,

[Jo Gye-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker: "So that military exemption benefits are also awarded based on points, based on what they have contributed cumulatively..."]

while another proposal called for allowing individuals to defer enlistment until their late 30s instead of granting military exemptions.

[Cheon Ha-ram / Reform Party Lawmaker: "If we allow them to postpone enlistment until their late 30s, they would be able to wrap up most of their careers as athletes or musicians."]

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

[Lim Jong-deuk / People Power Party Lawmaker: "Abolish the entire military service exemption system altogether. Eliminate it completely, and handle whatever necessary parts remain through other systems."]

With as many as seven government ministries involved in the military service exemption system requiring complex coordination, it is expected to take considerable time before the government finalizes a plan.

(Video by Kim Hyun-sang | Video Editing by Nam Il)