Jung Junho: "Reserve Forces Training Should Be Postponed During Heatwaves and Cold Waves"

Jung Junho Proposes Amendment to Reserve Forces Act
Mandates Postponement or Indoor Training During Extreme Weather Conditions

Junho Jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On July 28, Jung Junho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Buk-gu Gap, announced that he has introduced the "Reserve Forces Act Amendment" (Heatwave Reserve Forces Protection Act), which mandates the postponement of reserve forces training or its conversion to indoor training during extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves or cold waves.

Recently in Gwangju, controversy arose as reserve forces training was carried out as scheduled despite record-breaking heatwaves. While a heatwave advisory was in effect, concerns about exhaustion and heatstroke were raised among reservists participating in the training, and a series of complaints were filed in the region.

However, the current law lacks sufficient legal grounds to address such situations. The existing Reserve Forces Act only stipulates that efforts should be made to adjust training times or move training indoors when fine dust concentrations exceed certain levels, but it does not contain clear provisions for responding to severe weather conditions such as heatwaves or cold waves.

The proposed amendment includes a requirement to postpone reserve forces training, move it indoors, or adjust training times in regions where weather advisories such as heatwaves or cold waves are issued, in addition to advisories for fine dust. The intent is to address institutional blind spots and enhance safety at training sites.

Jung stated, "Unpredictable weather anomalies, such as record-breaking heatwaves and unprecedented heavy rains occurring within a single month, have now become everyday threats. Protecting the lives of citizens from natural disasters is the duty of the state, and reservists are also among those who must be protected. The law must specify at least minimum safety measures to guarantee the health rights of reservists."