"Women Can Also Serve as Active-Duty Soldiers"... Kim Mi-ae Proposes Amendment to Military Service Act

"Minister of National Defense Required to Report on Status of Active-Duty Service to National Assembly"

Kim Mi-ae, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, announced on the 19th that she has sponsored a bill to amend the Military Service Act, allowing women to serve as active-duty soldiers in order to address the manpower shortage in the military caused by the declining birth rate.

On May 26, soldiers enlisting at the Army Training Center in Nonsan, Chungnam, are preparing for enlistment after watching the Military Manpower Administration's 'Active Duty Enlistment Culture Festival (Youth Praise Concert)' and saluting their parents. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Kim Mi-ae's office, the number of soldiers in the armed forces has continued to decrease, dropping by 110,000 over the past six years. Although there is a plan to maintain 500,000 standing troops by 2028, there is expected to be a shortfall of about 50,000. Due to the declining birth rate, it is feared that in 20 years, the number of men eligible for military service each year will decrease to around 100,000.

Under current law, women can serve as active-duty or reserve soldiers by applying. However, since women are only selected as officers or non-commissioned officers, there are limitations. The proposed amendment would allow the Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration or the Chiefs of Staff of each military branch to select active-duty soldiers regardless of gender, thereby opening the path for women to serve as active-duty soldiers as well.

In addition, the amendment would require the Minister of National Defense to report annually to the relevant standing committee of the National Assembly, before the opening of the regular session, on the status of women serving as active-duty soldiers, the handling of their grievances, and the results of the system's implementation.

Kim stated, "The decline in military manpower resources is a national challenge that cannot be solved in the short term," adding, "It is necessary to improve the system to expand opportunities for voluntary service by women and to enable a diverse range of talented individuals to participate in the military regardless of gender."