Page 169 - 2020 Defence White Paper

ture, enhancing national prestige, and effectively utilizing military service surplus–
was raised based on factors such as the sharp reduction in military manpower
resources due to the decrease in fertility rate, the weakening of the initial purpose to
changes in national status, and issues related to fairness vis-à-vis active duty
servicemembers. Accordingly, the ROK government formed a consultative body
between the MND and related ministries in December 2018 and deliberated on and
confirmed the "Measures for improving the alternative service program" during a
government affairs review and coordination meeting in November 2019.
Based on the Measures, the ROK government has selected four promotion tasks
and detailed tasks as shown in [Chart 5-5], and has implemented these tasks smoothly
through system improvements and revision of laws and regulations since 2020.

[Chart 5-5] Major Measures for Improving the Alternative Service Program

Promotion tasks Details Chapter 5
• Reducing the number of people assigned to alternative service
1 Acquiring military resources
• Improving the fairness in terms of service intensity
• Supporting national strategic industries for alternative service

Strategic use of national human
2 personnel
resources
• Establishing utilization plans for each competent ministry
• Designating departments in charge of service management,
Strengthening service
3 organizing manpower
management
• Reinforcing punishment for insolvent workers, etc.
Guarantee of human rights and • Payment of remuneration during basic military training,
4 other rights of alternative service establishing an integrated reporting center
personnel • Preventing unfair treatment by an employer, etc.
Support for Physically and Customized services are offered to
Economically Vulnerable in Fulfilling encourage those who are physically
Their Military Service Obligation or economically vulnerable to parti-

cipate in fulfilling their military
service obligation. When an economically vulnerable person liable for military
service needs additional checkup from a private hospital during a physical
examination for military service, the MND is providing support to help fulfill their
obligation by supporting free consignment checkup and giving additional points or
priorities when recruiting them as enlisted or industrial workers, thus helping the
said target group of people to be able to diligently fulfill their service. Through such
benefits, the MND aided a total of 1,894 economically vulnerable persons liable for
military service in 2019. Since 2020, benefits are also being provided to the
physically vulnerable by allowing those with malignant blood diseases such as
leukemia to get a curtailment in their military service period through document
screening only without undergoing any physical examination.

Chapter 5. Establishing a Fair, Transparent, and Efficient National Defense Operation System 167