Presidential Candidates Focused on Volunteer Military System... Targeting 'Idaenam'

Ahn Cheol-soo's Pledge to Introduce 'Junmo Conscription System'... Providing 10 Million Won Social Advancement Support Fund
Sim Sang-jung Proposes 'Gradual Conscription System'... Mixed Conscription and Volunteer System Operation Until 2029

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, is announcing Youth Pledge No. 2 at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] With the expectation that the votes of the 2030 youth generation will be the biggest variable in next year's presidential election, each candidate is eager to present life-oriented pledges. In particular, the military service issue, which is the greatest concern for young men, is a recurring topic. Since military service-related pledges carry the risk of leading to gender conflicts, third-party candidates who need a 'turning point' are more active than the top two candidates in the polls.

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, held a press briefing on youth pledge No. 2 at the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th, stating, "We will introduce a 'quasi-volunteer military system' to expand professional non-commissioned officers to 50% of the military personnel and reduce the number of conscripted regular soldiers." Candidate Ahn aims for a 'professional military' through the quasi-volunteer system. He believes that while the total number of troops may decrease with the implementation of the quasi-volunteer system, qualitative improvement can be expected in terms of expertise and combat power required to handle advanced weapons. In addition, the system for professional researchers, industrial technical personnel, and social service agents will be expanded so that all young people can fulfill their national defense duties. However, he drew a line on a full volunteer military system. Candidate Ahn said, "In the divided situation where North Korea's nuclear disarmament and a permanent peace structure on the Korean Peninsula have not been established, the introduction of a full volunteer military system should be approached cautiously."

He also pledged to provide 10 million won in social advancement support funds for school re-enrollment, employment, and start-ups to young people who have fulfilled their military duties. Amid heated debates over the introduction of 'military service bonus points,' it remains difficult to find compensation for young people who have fulfilled their national defense duties. Based on last year's 229,000 discharged soldiers, the budget required is about 2.29 trillion won.

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, is holding a press conference and announcing defense-related pledges at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, proposed a 'gradual volunteer military system' the day before. In the first phase, by 2029, a mixed conscription-volunteer system will be operated, combining conscripted soldiers with 12 months of mandatory service and professional soldiers with 4 years of mandatory service. In the second phase, from 2030, when conscription disappears, all soldier ranks will be transitioned to a volunteer system. The plan also includes detailed content to first convert the Navy (Marines) and Air Force, which currently operate with volunteers, to the new system by 2025, and the Army by 2029. She intends to ensure proper treatment for volunteer soldiers. Candidate Sim said, "Professional soldiers will be guaranteed a starting salary of about 3 million won per month, and upon entering the non-commissioned officer rank in the fifth year, support will be provided for university and graduate school enrollment."

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is also considering a Korean-style volunteer military system. However, due to opinions that "the rich do not serve in the military, and only the poor do" if a simple transition to a volunteer system is made, a full volunteer system is difficult. Instead, a 'selective volunteer system,' where individuals choose between short-term conscripted soldiers and relatively long-serving combat non-commissioned officers, has been mentioned several times. On the other hand, Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, expressed concerns about the volunteer system. Candidate Yoon said, "Many believe that eventually, over time, we will move toward that (volunteer system)," but added, "Considering the current situation, maintaining a volunteer system could lead to security gaps due to financial issues linked to wage compensation levels."