'District Council Member' Serving Alternative Military Service at Facility Management Corporation in Neighboring District

Kim Min-seok, Gangseo District Council Member, Controversy Over Alternative Service During Term
Military Manpower Administration "Notified That Concurrent Positions Are Not Allowed"

An active district council member has sparked controversy by starting alternative military service during his term. Although the Military Manpower Administration issued an official interpretation stating that alternative service and holding a district council position simultaneously are not allowed, the council member insists on maintaining his position, arguing there is no legal basis to prevent dual roles. As the number of young politicians increases, military service issues have emerged as a new point of contention in politics.

The subject of the controversy is Kim Min-seok, a member of the Gangseo District Council in Seoul. Born in 1992 and now 30 years old, Councilman Kim is affiliated with the People Power Party and was elected in last year’s June 1 local elections.

Kim, who had not completed military service, began alternative service on the 24th at the Yangcheon District Facilities Management Corporation. Following the regulations for social service personnel, which prohibit political party activities, Kim resigned from the People Power Party before starting alternative service. He received a grade 4 classification in the physical examination due to a history of back surgery.

Kim Min-seok, member of the Seoul Gangseo-gu Council. / Facebook capture

However, he believes it is possible to combine alternative service with legislative activities and has decided to retain his council position. This is because current law does not clearly regulate military or alternative service during the term of a local council member.

Regarding dual roles, Councilman Kim inquired with his alternative service institution, the Yangcheon District Facilities Management Corporation, and obtained permission to hold both positions. He plans to carry out legislative duties outside of service hours.

Democratic Party: "Elected to oversee district affairs... shameless"

The problem is that a legislative gap will occur while Kim is performing alternative service. The Democratic Party criticized that if Kim had not completed his military duty, he should not have run for office in the first place.

All members of the Gangseo District Council from the Democratic Party issued a statement saying, "He was elected as a local council member to oversee district affairs, but he is not only leaving his post for military service but also selfishly 'using' his council position to fulfill his military obligations," adding, "Is legislative work that trivial? Is alternative military service something to be taken lightly?"

They also criticized the People Power Party for nominating Kim, saying, "They nominated a candidate who was certain to face military service issues after turning 30 during the term. The council member stubbornly insists on holding dual roles citing 'lack of relevant laws.' There is no loyalty to the residents anywhere."

They continued, "The People Power Party should immediately apologize to the residents of Gangseo District. Furthermore, the shameless Councilman Kim Min-seok should resign as soon as possible and faithfully fulfill his military duties as a citizen of the Republic of Korea."

Military Manpower Administration: "Dual roles not allowed"… Institutional shortcomings are problematic

Regarding the controversy, the Military Manpower Administration issued an official interpretation that dual roles are not permitted. Woo Tak-gyun, deputy spokesperson of the Military Manpower Administration, stated on the 28th, "Social service personnel are prohibited from joining political parties or engaging in political activities while fulfilling their military service," and "the administration has notified the relevant service institution that dual roles are not allowed in this case."

Deputy spokesperson Woo also firmly stated that engaging in legislative activities after alternative service hours is "considered a violation of service regulations." He explained that if service regulations are violated, a 'warning' is issued, and if four warnings accumulate, the individual may be reported for violating the Military Service Act.

However, Councilman Kim reportedly disagrees with the Military Manpower Administration’s judgment and plans to file a constitutional complaint.

Meanwhile, separate from the dual role issue, there is criticism that institutional measures regarding military service for young politicians are insufficient. As youth participation in politics becomes more active and is encouraged within political circles, there are calls to promptly establish relevant laws.