Reviving Military Service Bonus Points to Catch 'Inamja'? What Do You Think? [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

Turning Away 20s Male Voters from the Democratic Party... Considering Recognition of Military Service
Kim Nam-guk: "We Will Strive to Ensure Veterans Receive Fair Treatment"
Jeon Yong-gi: "It Is the Duty of Lawmakers to Respond to the Sacrifices of Men in Their 20s"

A faction within the Democratic Party of Korea has begun reviewing a policy to recognize military service periods.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] In the April 7 by-election, as men in their 20s gave over 70% support to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, the Democratic Party of Korea is making all-out efforts to appease the so-called 'Inamja (men in their 20s).' In particular, they are even considering policies that recognize military service experience.

Although the Constitutional Court has already ruled that military service bonus points are unconstitutional, the party is determined to push forward by changing the law altogether. As a result, severe social conflicts such as gender discrimination issues are expected.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk stated on Facebook on the 15th, "We will strive to ensure that veterans who have completed military service receive proper treatment," adding, "We will establish a legal basis so that professional experience gained during military service can be recognized in nationwide local government recruitment through amendments to the National Public Service Act."

Kim pointed out, "A young job seeker in Ansan sent me a message saying, 'Public institutions do not recognize military experience.' This is not about asking for military bonus points. It is hard to understand why professional experience and expertise gained in the military are not recognized."

He added, "This is not just a men's issue. It also applies to female soldiers who served as non-commissioned officers and were discharged," emphasizing, "If our society cannot even do this for those who have devoted themselves to the country, we should be ashamed."

Previously, Kim also claimed, "A post was made on the anonymous community 'Blind' stating that male police officers in the riot police are being discriminated against," and argued, "It is true that male police officers work relatively more frequently than female officers in the riot police. Proper treatment and evaluation for the tough work must be carried out."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Fellow party member Jeon Yong-gi plans to introduce the 'Veteran Support Act,' which mandates reflecting military service experience in promotion evaluations at public enterprises and public institutions.

Jeon wrote on Facebook, "Duties and rights must be proportional," and criticized, "Even the Constitutional Court acknowledged at the time of the 1999 military bonus points unconstitutionality ruling that men were not sufficiently compensated, but military service policies have not significantly improved even after 20 years."

Jeon added, "As a man in his 20s, I also plan to discuss reintroducing military bonus points. We must amend the constitution to ensure discharged soldiers receive at least minimal compensation," and said, "It is the duty of lawmakers to respond to the public's desire regarding the sacrifices of men in their 20s."

As voices within the party call for the introduction of military bonus points, opposition parties have raised criticism. Former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok expressed skepticism on Facebook on the 16th about some Democratic Party lawmakers mentioning issues like reintroducing military bonus points, saying, "If you want to touch the military bonus points issue, you should first hear from lawmaker Nam In-soon."

He continued, "It is well known that she (Lawmaker Nam) is the queen of women's issues in your (Democratic Party) party," and added, "The most forbidden tactic in military strategy is staggered deployment, but it seems like all the young people in the Democratic Party who think they are young will come out one by one and be deployed in a staggered manner, ending it."

Recruits who have enlisted are jogging in place following the instructor's orders. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the military bonus points system, implemented since 1961, awarded 5% bonus points to those who served more than two years in the military and 3% to those who served less than two years in civil service exams.

However, in 1999, the Constitutional Court ruled the military bonus points system unconstitutional, stating it violated the constitutional rights to equality, public office holding, and freedom of occupational choice for women, disabled persons, and those exempt from military service. Although the system's reintroduction has been attempted several times in politics since its abolition, it has only caused controversy.

In this regard, the National Assembly Research Service also expressed opposition. In 2015, it stated, "The bonus points system benefits only a very small portion of those who have fulfilled military service obligations (applying for public office)," and interpreted that "even if the degree of bonus points is adjusted, it is difficult for subject-specific bonus points for veterans to be deemed constitutional."

The National Human Rights Commission also pointed out in 2010, "Considering that passing civil service exams depends on very slight score differences and competition for public office recruitment is high, even if the bonus point ratio is adjusted and the scope of application limited, significant inequality remains for women and disabled persons."

According to exit polls by the three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) for the April 7 by-election, 72.5% of men in their 20s supported Mayor Oh Se-hoon, while Democratic Party candidate Park Young-sun received 22.2%. Park's support among men in their 20s was the lowest across all age and gender groups.