Democratic Party Talent No. 11 Choi Gi-il "Women Must Serve in the Military in 10 Years... Volunteer Military System Has Already Begun"

Choi Gi-il, the 11th recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea and an expert in the defense industry, is attending the welcoming ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 21st, greeting Representative Lee Hae-chan. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Choi Gi-il, adjunct professor at Konkuk University Graduate School of Industry and the 11th recruited talent of the Democratic Party of Korea, predicted that "in 10 years, there will come a time when women will also have to serve in the military."

On the morning of the 21st, at a talent recruitment press conference held at the National Assembly, Professor Choi said regarding the volunteer military system, "The decrease in conscription personnel due to the rapid population decline is inevitable," and added, "I believe the volunteer military system has already begun."

He added, "In five years, (military service resources) will decrease, and before long, in 10 years, though it may be presumptuous to say, there may come a time when women in the Republic of Korea will also have to serve in the military." However, he clarified, "I am not saying that all women should serve in the military," but emphasized, "Now, everyone should seriously consider that in 10 years, even if women serve in the military, there may be a shortage of military personnel."

Earlier, the Democratic Research Institute released a report in November last year advocating for the phased introduction of the volunteer military system. In response, the Democratic Party leadership has officially begun discussions by establishing a Special Committee for Elite Armed Forces within the party. This is the second time the Democratic Party has recruited military-related personnel as talents for the general election, following former Army General Kim Byung-joo (58), former Deputy Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, announced on the 2nd.

The recruitment committee explained the reason for recruitment as "a defense industry expert who has researched ways to strengthen expertise in the defense industry sector and eradicate defense industry corruption." At the party admission ceremony, Professor Choi expressed his ambition, saying, "We will no longer tolerate defense industry corruption in the Republic of Korea." He continued, "To cultivate a global elite armed force, the defense project system must gain trust from the people," and emphasized, "I will establish a transparent defense project system through laws and regulations."

In response, Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "Although North and South Korea should not engage in military confrontation, fundamentally, peace is maintained by having defense capabilities, so the importance of the defense industry is increasing." He added, "Professor Choi is the first Korean defense industry Ph.D. listed in 'Marquis Who's Who,' one of the world's top three biographical dictionaries," and said, "We welcome his choice to enter politics."

Meanwhile, Professor Choi, born in Cheonan, Chungnam, graduated from Soongsil University with a degree in accounting and earned a master's degree in business administration from Kyung Hee University. Commissioned as a 43rd class officer (Army Major), Professor Choi was appointed in 2016 as a professor in the Department of Defense Management at the Korea National Defense University Graduate School of Defense Management, after earning the first-ever Ph.D. in Defense Project Studies in Korea at Konkuk University. In 2018, he was appointed professor in the Department of Defense Industry at Konkuk University Graduate School of Industry and adjunct professor at Midwest University in the United States. He has published over 30 papers related to measures to eradicate defense industry corruption and has received awards such as the Challenge Korea Award and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Commendation for National Productivity.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.