[On-site Video] "Revival" vs "Abolition Maintenance"... The 'Military Bonus Points' Debate Summoned by 'D.P.'

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon] "It doesn't seem like the additional military service points will be reinstated." , "We need to find a compromise."

The Netflix drama 'D.P.', which depicts harsh treatment within the military against the backdrop of the Army Military Police, is gaining public attention. D.P. stands for Deserter Pursuit, the military police unit responsible for apprehending military deserters.

In the drama, soldiers desert after enduring harsh treatment. Viewers responded with comments such as "I understand how they feel," "Shouldn't the military additional points be given again?" and "They really suffer a lot," sparking heated debate about the military additional points system among young people in their 20s and 30s.

On the afternoon of the 6th at Seoul Station Plaza, young people expressed various opinions about the possible reinstatement of the additional points system. A(21), who said he is scheduled to enlist on the 15th, said, "After watching D.P., I realized there were many harsh treatments and injustices in the military in 2014, it must have been tough." Regarding the military additional points system, he said, "I support it," emphasizing, "Because I think it is a way to compensate for two years of youth."

Regarding concerns that the military service additional points system could discriminate against women or people with disabilities, he said, "I understand that perspective too. We need to find a compromise." He added, "If recognizing military additional points itself is excessive, there could be a compromise such as recognizing the enlistment period as seniority."

C(26, female), a citizen, said, "Watching the drama made me feel sad. The line 'If I hadn't joined the military, I wouldn't have deserted' broke my heart." She added, "I personally think it would be good to have the military additional points system," explaining, "(Many people) went to the military compulsorily even if they didn't want to, and they suffered, so I think benefits for that are necessary." She also said, "I think the military additional points issue and the issues concerning women and people with disabilities should be viewed separately. Each has their own difficulties."

C(38), an office worker, said, "It was hard to watch the drama," and confessed, "The harsh treatment weighed heavily on me, so I had to pause the video several times." He continued, "I don't think reinstating the military additional points system is right," emphasizing, "Reinstating a system that was once abolished requires social and institutional efforts and costs."

Meanwhile, the military additional points system was a policy that granted extra points to veterans when applying for public service jobs. However, it was abolished after the Constitutional Court ruled it unconstitutional in 2001, citing concerns that it could discriminate against women, people with disabilities, and those exempt from military service.