[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon proposed on the 5th to provide incentives to men who have completed mandatory military service as a substitute for the military bonus points, which were ruled unconstitutional.
In a pre-recorded YouTube interview on 'Lee Nak-yeon TV' the previous day, Lee said, "Since the bonus point system was ruled unconstitutional, I hope we can prepare something like a social start-up fund of about 30 million won to give when they are discharged from the military."
Regarding the issue of gender equality in military service, he said, "Gradually expanding the volunteer military system is the most reasonable solution at this stage." Lee added, "When I asked men in their 20s whether they really want women to be conscripted together, many answered that they did not necessarily want that," and said, "It is not appropriate to view the military as a solution to gender issues."
He predicted, "If we fill the volunteer military system starting with fields that require more expertise in non-combat areas, women's participation can also increase," and added, "At some point, we might even switch the Navy and Air Force to a volunteer system."
He then suggested providing social start-up funds as incentives to men conscripted as enlisted soldiers so that they can sustain their livelihood until they find employment after discharge. This is to instill the belief that military service is not a disadvantage in entering society but rather a benefit.
Lee said, "How about making military service beneficial to life by assigning soldiers to units that can help in the fields they want to advance in after discharge?"
Detailed footage of the recording is scheduled to be released from the afternoon of the 6th on the YouTube channel Lee Nak-yeon TV and others.
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