Page 231 - 2018 Defense White Paper

| Use of Personal Mobile Phones | To alleviate

the sense of isolation felt by servicemembers, and
help them pursue self-development and sound leisure
activities, the ROK Armed Forces decided to allow

enlisted servicemembers to use personal mobile phones
after a pilot program in selected units and an opinion-
gathering process from multiple sources. To facilitate Receive-only mobile phone for common use

communication with people outside the military, the
ROK Armed Forces provided receive-only mobile phones for common use and public video
telephones at barracks since 2015, which contributed to relieving the sense of isolation and

anxiety felt by servicemembers and their parents.
The MND previously banned enlisted servicemembers from using personal mobile phones
in barracks out of concern for security risks and the relaxation of military discipline. However,
to facilitate communication with people outside the military, the MND plans to allow

servicemembers to use personal mobile phones after working hours and during holidays. The
MND will determine the timing of full implementation as it expands the scope of pilot operation

gradually by phases.

| Promotion of Leave after Working Hours on Weekdays | To help servicemembers
prepare for their missions by providing suff icient rest and autonomy to the possible extent, the
Chapter 6
MND developed several measures to promote the use of leave after working hours on weekdays
by enlisted servicemembers, based on the consideration of the need to maintain the military
readiness posture and the different conditions in individual units.

While enlisted servicemembers are allowed to take a leave after working hours on weekdays if
required under the current regulations, only a small number of enlisted servicemembers actually
take advantage of the leave. 1) In the future, the MND plans to promote the use of leave after

working hours under the approval of commanding off icers for small-scale group activities,

1) MND, Unit Management Directive, Article 57(Distinction between Leave and Off-Post
Visit) Paragraph 2: “Special leave and off-post visit refer to the leaves and off-post visits
given as incentives on holidays or weekdays, including holidays, and the leaves and
off-post visits individually permitted during or after working hours for special purposes
70 th Armed Forces Day
including participation in off-post courses or rewards.” ceremony

Section 1 Instilling a New Barracks Culture Trusted by the People 229