Lee Jun-seok "Women Must Serve in the Military to Become Police Officers or Firefighters" Pledge

Policy Pledge for Implementation Targeting 2030

On the 29th, Representative Lee Jun-seok's Reform New Party pledged to promote a policy that would require women to complete military service starting as early as 2030 in order to apply for police and firefighting public service positions. This move appears to be an effort to stir up issues ahead of the April 10 general election.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, is making a military-related policy announcement at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At a press conference held at the National Assembly communication office that day, Representative Lee stated, "According to the Constitution, all citizens are obligated to defend the nation, but so far, only about half of South Korean citizens have fulfilled this duty," adding, "I propose a shift where the remaining half gradually takes on more responsibility." He further explained, "Starting in 2030, those who wish to become new public officials in the police, coast guard, firefighting, and correctional service sectors through open recruitment will be required to have completed military service, regardless of gender." The reason for selecting these four sectors for mandatory military service was explained as, "These sectors have already been extensively utilized for alternative service, so we judged that there is a close connection with military duties."

He continued, "Military service records will be fully reflected in seniority, and career disadvantages will be minimized through retirement age extensions corresponding to the military service period," adding, "Women will be able to serve as regular soldiers, not as officers or non-commissioned officers, through this application process." He also noted, "Given that the monthly salary for enlisted soldiers is now around 2 million won, the benefits during military service will not differ significantly from the treatment received by entry-level public officials in these sectors." Representative Lee projected that this policy could secure 10,000 to 20,000 military service personnel.

Earlier, on the 18th, the Reform New Party led by Representative Lee announced a pledge to abolish the 'free subway rides for those aged 65 and over' system and replace it with an annual prepaid transportation card worth approximately 120,000 won, usable on urban railways, buses, and taxis. Representative Lee stated, "This system, modeled after the free ride policy for the elderly in the former Soviet Union, has now reached the end of its lifespan. The costs incurred from free rides remain as debt, which is being passed on to future generations."

In response to Representative Lee's remarks, Professor Jin Joong-kwon of Kwangwoon University appeared on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Match' on the 26th and criticized, "He is attacking social minorities and the socially vulnerable. This is actually characteristic of American Trumpists," interpreting, "Although he suffered losses during the presidential election, now that the Reform New Party is a small party, they believe that gathering only those who respond to this will form a political force."