Clash Over Pledge to Introduce 'Military Service Bonus Points'... Lee Jae Myung Calls It "Divisive," Kim Moonsoo Says It's a "State Duty"

The candidates for the 21st presidential election clashed over Kim's pledge to introduce a military service bonus point system during the social affairs TV debate on the 23rd.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate (right in the photo), and Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, are preparing ahead of the 21st presidential election candidates debate hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The debate was initiated by Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. During the TV debate held at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul on this day, Lee criticized Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate's pledge to revive the "military service bonus point system," stating, "At a time when special protection and support for women's rights are needed, this is a policy that mocks women and divides society."

He further pointed out, "Women face structural discrimination in areas such as household responsibilities, child-rearing, and workplace promotions," adding, "The pledges I have proposed, such as military service credits or additional pay grade points for service, do not harm women. However, the military service bonus point system proposed by Kim would disadvantage women who do not serve in the military."

In response, Kim explained, "It is the state's duty and a basic principle of honoring veterans to provide some benefits and consideration, even if only a little, to those who have served their youth for 18 months of mandatory service or for longer periods, when they return to society or take public office," and added, "We will never implement it in the way that was previously ruled unconstitutional."

Earlier, Kim had announced a pledge to revive a system that would grant military service bonus points to all who fulfill their military duty, regardless of gender. The military service bonus point system was introduced in 1961 but was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in 1999 on the grounds that it caused gender discrimination.