Page 167 - 2020 Defence White Paper

Section

3 Ensuring a Fair and Transparent
National Defense for the

Enhancement of the Benefit of

the People

The MND is advancing its military service system to foster an environment for a fair
imposition of military duty, and to enhance fairness and aggressiveness in carrying
out military service. In addition, the MND endeavors to eliminate inconveniences and
promote national convenience according to transparent procedures to the extent
that they do not interfere with operations. Accordingly, the MND is relocating military
air bases, building military installations for shared growth with the local communities,
reforming national defense regulations, and carrying out eco-friendly projects. Chapter 5

1. Ensuring Fair Enforcement of Military Service Obligation and
Improving the Military Service Administration

Separate Management of Military After introducing a separate mana-
Service Compliance by Public Figures gement system for military service
of Grade 4 or higher public officials
and their children, athletes, pop culture artists, and high income earners and their

children, the ROK government has monitored their military service process in real
time. With the help of the system, the ROK government detected suspects of
deliberate weight gain and identified unfair cases where some pop culture artists and
athletes delayed their military service by abusing the system. The ROK government

[Chart 5-4] Cases of Improvements in Unfair System
Category Before After

Short-term overseas • Within the scope of a year at a • Within the scope of 6 months at a time, total
travel permit system time, total of 3 years of 2 years (maximum of 5 times)

• Postponement without age • Restrictions on postponement for people
restriction when taking an aged 28 years or older when taking an
examination, such as private examination, such as private qualification
qualification examination examination
Conscription date
postponement system

• Postponement until the end of May • Restrictions on postponement for people
of the year following graduation aged 28 years and above when scheduled
without age restrictions when
enrolling at graduate school to enroll at graduate school

Chapter 5. Establishing a Fair, Transparent, and Efficient National Defense Operation System 165