Reserve Forces Training to Begin from March 4 This Year

Targeting 2.8 Million People... Strengthening Security Education on North Korea Realities and More

This year's reserve forces training will begin on March 4. The number of trainees is 2.8 million.

On the 2nd, reservists are conducting VR simulated tactical shooting training at the Science Reserve Forces Training Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where reserve forces training, suspended since December 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has resumed. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 17th, mobilization training will be conducted for 1st to 4th year reserve forces designated for mobilization at active duty units or mobilization training centers for 2 nights and 3 days. Among the 1st to 4th year reserve forces, those not designated for mobilization and 5th to 6th year reserve forces will receive basic training on a commuting basis. The basic training also includes tasks related to nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare response capabilities. This year’s security education for reserve forces includes education on the armistice system and understanding the realities of North Korea. The Ministry of National Defense plans to prepare a standard textbook for reserve forces security education next month.

A Ministry of National Defense official said, "Last year, education focused mainly on defense innovation, but this year we are preparing to focus on the causes and background of the outbreak of the Korean War, human rights conditions, and the realities of North Korea."

Considering the high satisfaction with remote education conducted during the COVID-19 period, the Ministry of National Defense decided to introduce remote education for the first time in formal reserve forces training, targeting the second half operational plan training for 6th year reserve forces. Subjects necessary for regional defense operations during operational plan training, such as ▲ rear area enemy threats ▲ regional defense operation procedures ▲ nuclear and chemical-biological protection ▲ first aid, can be taken remotely using personal mobile phones or computers during May and June without restrictions on time and place.

Reserve forces who complete remote education will have 2 hours deducted from the 6-hour operational plan training in the second half of the year and will receive 4 hours of assembly training, while those who do not complete remote education will receive 6 hours of assembly training.

Improvements to the reserve forces training environment are also underway. Reserve forces training centers are being transformed into scientific training centers where virtual reality video simulated shooting and urban combat training using MILES equipment can be conducted. Among the 40 reserve forces training centers nationwide, 23 were transformed into scientific training centers by last year, and 5 more will be converted this year. Mobilization training centers have improved existing bunk-type dormitory facilities to bed-type facilities.