[2022 National Audit] Person Who Did Not Serve in Military Due to Disappearance Received Disaster Relief Fund

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] It has been revealed that nearly 1,000 people who did not join the military due to being "missing" received government disaster relief funds. The Military Manpower Administration plans to track these individuals and impose military service obligations.

On the 7th, at the National Assembly National Defense Committee’s Military Manpower Administration audit, Seol Hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out, "In a situation where military manpower is insufficient, the management of those obligated is serious," adding, "There were as many as 967 people who avoided military service due to being missing but received disaster relief funds."

Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Lee Gi-sik responded, "We confirmed that 967 people received the disaster relief funds," and said, "We tracked down 732 of them and are currently imposing their obligations."

When Commissioner Lee was asked by Representative Seol why the rest could not be found, he replied, "If we receive whereabouts or information from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, correctional facilities, and the National Health Insurance Service, investigations would be faster, but they say they cannot provide it due to personal information protection," adding, "The Military Manpower Administration is currently pushing to revise the Military Service Act to be able to receive such information."

Commissioner Lee also added, "Not only those who received disaster relief funds but also people who suffered damage from wildfires and floods this year received support funds. We are continuing efforts to find all of them."