Starting Next Month, All Soldiers Allowed to Use Cell Phones... Permitted Time Slots Are

On the 8th, when the military leave that had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was resumed normally, soldiers departing on leave were waiting for the train at Seoul Station. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The "use of soldiers' mobile phones after work," which has been piloted in all military units since last year, will be officially implemented starting next month.

On the 26th, the Ministry of National Defense held the "20-1 Military Service Policy Deliberation Committee" chaired by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and announced that the "use of soldiers' mobile phones after work" will be officially implemented from the 1st of next month.

Soldiers in all branches will be allowed to keep personal mobile phones in their units and freely use them from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. after work hours. Additionally, they will be permitted to take their personal mobile phones with them during leave and overnight stays outside the base.

The Ministry of National Defense has been piloting the use of soldiers' mobile phones after work in all units since April last year. During the pilot period, there were no security incidents such as leaks of confidential information through soldiers' mobile phones.

To prevent security breaches caused by taking photos inside the units, the Ministry has completed the establishment of a "security control system" at over 2,400 guard posts across all units. When passing through a guard post with a mobile phone installed with a security application, the camera function is disabled. When leaving the unit, the camera function is reactivated by a "beacon" (short-range wireless communication) device installed outside the guard post. The Ministry of National Defense evaluated that the use of mobile phones positively influenced soldiers' adaptation to service, mission performance, and self-development.

According to a perception survey conducted by the Korea Defense Research Institute on over 7,000 soldiers and 1,000 civilians in April last year and February this year, when mobile phone use was first allowed, perceptions of mobile phone use have become more positive. In response to the question, "Do you think mobile phone use affects soldiers' psychological stability?" 57% of respondents answered positively in April last year, but by February this year, 97.5% responded positively. The Ministry explained that mobile phones played a significant role in reducing stress among isolated soldiers when outings were restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

However, concerns remain about side effects such as digital sex crimes and internet gambling within the units due to mobile phone use. It is known that Private First Class Lee Won-ho (19) of the Army, a participant in the Telegram "Baksa Room," continued digital sex crimes using his mobile phone during service, and in February this year, an Army Private shared code words (prearranged phrases for identifying friend or foe) in a KakaoTalk group chat.

A Ministry of National Defense official stated, "We will take strict measures against violations of mobile phone usage rules and security regulations," adding, "We will minimize side effects through strengthened education on preventing illegal cyber gambling and punishment of violators."

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