Controversy Surrounding Equity in Sacred Duty of National Defense.

Recently, during the National Assembly's defense committee audit, heated discussions arose regarding the military benefits granted to artists and athletes who have achieved a certain level of recognition. In particular, concerns were raised about the high proportion of non-serving athletes in relation to the performance of our national team at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

 

It is expected that discussions about military benefits and the supplementary service system will become even more active in the wake of this recent debate.

 

Member of Parliament Lim Byeong-heon pointed out during the audit, "Isn't the Asian Games being used as a means to gain military benefits?" and further noted, "There are cases where athletes who have not participated in a single match, despite their team achieving first place in a certain event, are receiving military benefits." In response, the Military Manpower Administration expressed the opinion that a comprehensive review of the supplementary service system is needed.

 

The current supplementary service system was introduced in 1973. However, given the rapid depletion of military resources, there is a consensus that a "comprehensive redesign is necessary" to improve the system.

 

The supplementary service system allows specific qualified individuals among the conscripted active-duty soldiers to fulfill their military service by serving as specialized personnel in certain fields. Artists and athletes fall under this category, engaging in basic military training and then contributing to volunteer activities in their respective fields for 34 months. This effectively grants them a de facto 'military service exemption' benefit.

 

Recently, there has been controversy surrounding the military benefits given to Olympic and Asian Games medalists. For instance, there has been increased international media attention on the military benefits provided to members of the gold medal-winning soccer team at the Asian Games.

 

Director Lee Gi-sik of the Military Manpower Administration acknowledged the concerns of the lawmakers and stated, "I believe that a comprehensive review of the supplementary service system is necessary." He also added, "We will examine whether there is a need to maintain, eliminate, or reduce the supplementary service system, which is categorized into arts and physical education personnel, industrial skills personnel, and public health personnel."

 

Furthermore, he candidly shared his feelings about watching the Asian Games, saying, "From the perspective of the head of the Military Manpower Administration, there was a bitter aspect to it." It is expected that discussions about military benefits and the supplementary service system will become even more active in the wake of this recent debate.