‘China Threat and Troop Shortage’: Taiwan’s Last Resort
Taiwan Establishes Rule for Re-enlistment of Soldiers Discharged Within One Year
"Specialized Technical Soldiers and Frontline Unit Officers Will Be Supplemented"
Taiwan, which is experiencing a security crisis due to threats from China but is suffering from a shortage of troops, has prepared a plan to allow re-enlistment of soldiers who have been discharged for less than a year. On the 5th (local time), Taiwan United News reported, "The Taiwan Ministry of National Defense recently announced an amendment to the 'Regulations on the Selection and Service of Army, Navy, and Air Force Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers,' allowing re-enlistment if discharged for less than one year."
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visited a military base in Taitung, Taiwan on the 21st of last month. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
As of the end of June last year, the size of Taiwan's volunteer forces was 152,885, marking the lowest level since 2018 and indicating a shortage of troops. Legislator Lin Yijun stated, "The policy revision of the Taiwan military will supplement key core personnel in frontline units currently facing troop shortages," adding, "Priority should be given to the re-enlistment of specialized technical soldiers, servicemen, and soldiers in frontline combat units."
Measures to reinforce troop strength continue in Taiwan. Last year, the mandatory military service period was extended from the current 4 months to 1 year. According to the Ministry of National Defense's adjustment plan, the one-year mandatory service period applies to males born after 1995. In 2023, the height standard for military service exemption was changed to ‘below 155 cm,’ and the body mass index (BMI; weight divided by the square of height) criteria were also revised to ‘over 35 or below 15.’ By slightly adjusting the existing standards, the exemption criteria were strengthened to have more people serve.
According to the Taiwan Army, 9,127 conscripted soldiers are scheduled to enlist this year, with 670 having enlisted on the 25th of last month. The monthly salary for soldiers is known to be 10,800 Taiwan dollars (approximately 458,000 Korean won). This year, the monthly salary for Korean soldiers is 750,000 won for privates and 1,500,000 won for sergeants.
This time, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense decided to change the operational command of the Marine Corps 66th Brigade from the Army 6th Corps Command under the Army Command to the Ministry of National Defense General Staff Headquarters to strengthen the capital's defense capabilities. Additionally, after the Lunar New Year holiday, the 66th Brigade’s tank battalion and artillery battalion will be disbanded, and organizational restructuring will be undertaken, including the establishment of an air defense missile unit operating unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and Stinger surface-to-air missiles.
With tensions rising in US-China relations following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Taiwan rejects the 'One China' principle and is strengthening cooperation with the United States. On the 3rd, President Lai Ching-te emphasized, "The common enemy of Taiwan and China is natural disasters, and the shared goal is the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," adding, "In a time when the international situation is changing diversely, peace must be achieved through good dialogue and exchanges between both sides."
He added, "Taiwan welcomes unconditional dialogue on an equal footing, and dialogue should replace conflict," and "Only the people of Taiwan can decide Taiwan’s future." He also mentioned Taiwan’s official name, the "Republic of China," stating, "Only a sovereign country is a nation. The Republic of China exists because Taiwan exists."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
