"Mandatory Military Service for Women... Ending Gender Discrimination Controversy" Park Yong-jin's Proposal, What Do You Think?

Park Yong-jin "Switch to Volunteer Military System, Women Also Undergo 100 Days of Military Training"
"Not Simply Approaching as a Youth Issue"
Some Youths "Isn't This a 2030 Vote-Seeking Policy... Concern Over Gender Conflict"
Jin Joong-kwon "Populism Trying to Gain 2030 Votes"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is preparing to run for the next presidential election, argued in his book that the conscription system should be abolished and that both men and women should undergo basic military training for 40 to 100 days to cultivate reservists.

Some critics say this is an attempt to win the votes of 'Inamja' (men in their 20s) who gave many votes to the opposition party in the April 7 by-elections. They point out that this is a form of populism. There are also concerns that this policy might incite gender conflicts.

In his book "Park Yong-jin's Political Revolution," scheduled to be published today (19th), Park stated, "I will transform the current military service system into a 'volunteer military system' maintained mainly by volunteers," and proposed "introducing a mixed military service system called 'Gender-Equal Military Service,' where all citizens, regardless of gender, are required to undergo about 40 to 100 days of basic military training."

In the book, Park emphasized the background of transitioning to a volunteer military system and introducing gender-equal military service, saying, "By maintaining conscription but drastically reducing the mandatory service period, we can reduce the career disruption shock for the younger generation and prevent social energy waste."

He continued, "By including women in military service, the mandatory service period can be significantly shortened while broadening the scope of those subject to military service," adding, "This can also end unnecessary gender discrimination debates surrounding the military service bonus point system and reduce social conflicts related to military service exemptions and evasion."

Park explained this plan as "promoting the cultivation of an elite strong military based on a volunteer military system and gender-equal military service, focusing on advanced weapon systems and the training of reservists capable of combat operations."

Park Yong-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who announced his intention to run for the next presidential election
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, there is also criticism that Park's proposal might actually encourage gender discrimination. Some argue that it is an attempt to win the votes of young people in their 20s in the April 7 by-election without sufficient social deliberation.

Kim, a male job seeker in his 20s who served in the military, said, "If Park had shown interest in youth military service issues before, I think he would have looked at this proposal more carefully," and criticized, "It seems like a policy hastily created after 20-something men gave their votes to Oh Se-hoon in the by-election."

Meanwhile, concerns were raised that this policy might provoke gender conflicts. Lee, a female office worker in her 20s, said, "I understand that the biggest controversy regarding military service was about the 'military service bonus point system,'" and criticized, "Isn't that system already pointed out as problematic by law?" She added, "I hope more attention is paid to gender discrimination issues in our society before addressing military service problems."

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also wrote on his Facebook, "This is populism trying to gain votes from the 2030 generation," and criticized, "It’s transparent. They pretend to give something to young men but treat them like the monkeys in the story of Josam-mosa."

As various criticisms poured in regarding Park's proposed 'Gender-Equal Military Service,' Park appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 19th to rebut the criticisms directed at him.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the criticism that he hastily published the book to win young people's votes, Park responded, "You might see it that way if you think of shallow politics, but I finished writing this book in November last year. It is being published in April for various reasons. I finished it in November last year, and I even had a private discussion with Professor Mo on this issue last summer."

He added, "This has been a long-standing concern. Please understand that this is not a shallow attempt to gain votes but a consideration of the volunteer military system from the perspective of South Korea's military security strategy, supported by the design of gender-equal military service. It is not simply an issue related to youth or 2030 men."

Regarding gender-equal military service, he explained, "I do not think it is impossible because someone is a woman. I also believe it is inappropriate to assign combat roles to men and non-combat roles to women based on gender roles. Therefore, military culture, military training systems, and various cultures and systems related to maintaining the military must also change."

On the criticism that this policy stirs up gender conflicts, he emphasized, "Controversy can certainly arise, but I think it is irresponsible not to propose necessary measures because of fear of controversy."

He also criticized the Ministry of National Defense, saying, "There is nothing the Ministry of National Defense is doing to move forward in the long term. Social consensus is necessary, and it is a political task. The Ministry of National Defense should examine how much financial support is needed and which systems need to be improved and prepared in advance by looking at overseas cases, but they are doing nothing and trying to maintain vested interests, so I cannot help but view this critically."