Sim Sang-jung: "Volunteer Military System is not 'Premature' but 'Timely'"

Justice Party Holds '2030 Korea-Style Volunteer Military System Introduction Forum'
"Expand Military Service Opportunities to Serve with Fair Compensation Regardless of Gender"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Justice Party lawmaker Sim Sang-jung emphasized the introduction of a 'Korean-style volunteer military system' on the 15th, stating, "We must radically reform the outdated military through the bold adoption of a volunteer system and newly establish an advanced military culture befitting the status of the Republic of Korea today."

At the 'Discussion on the Introduction of the Korean-style Volunteer Military System by 2030' held at the National Assembly that afternoon, Sim said, "In a situation where manpower resources are naturally decreasing due to the demographic cliff, the volunteer system is no longer 'premature' but 'timely.'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The volunteer military system is also one of the presidential pledges put forward by ruling party presidential candidates.

Sim explained, "The purpose of the volunteer system is above all to expand citizens' freedom and rights in military service," adding, "The core is not that everyone serves 'compulsorily,' but that everyone can 'choose' to serve." He added, "As long as one has the conviction to serve for national security, anyone, regardless of gender, should be able to serve while receiving appropriate compensation, so we want to open the door to military service much wider."

He continued, "The history of the volunteer system in progressive parties is very long," noting, "During the Democratic Labor Party era, leader Kwon Young-gil proposed a 'gradual volunteer system' as a 2002 presidential campaign pledge, and Pi Woo-jin, former head of the Veterans Affairs, who ran as a proportional representative candidate for the Progressive New Party in the 2008 general election, also announced the volunteer system as a party pledge." He said, "I have also proposed a 'Korean-style volunteer military system' as a presidential pledge," emphasizing, "With the demographic cliff that was feared becoming visible, we can no longer discuss national defense power based on troop size. Now, discussions on transitioning to smart defense and a digital strong military system centered on the volunteer system must be fully underway."

Sim stated, "The Republic of Korea's military is still perceived as a place 'no one wants to go to again,' but the introduction of the volunteer system could be a key turning point for the military to transform into an 'honorable military that anyone wants to join.'"

At the same discussion, Kang Min-jin, leader of the Youth Justice Party, who gave the opening remarks, also stressed the need for changes to the current military service system, saying, "The future military should be open to young people not as a compulsory service but as 'a quality job and a space of opportunity.'"

He said, "As we set the target military for 2030 and begin the transition to a volunteer system, politics must decisively intervene in the injustices currently occurring," adding, "A declaration is needed that the military will no longer operate by exploiting youth cheaply and violating basic rights."

He also added, "Guaranteeing the minimum wage for soldiers, ensuring independent living spaces in barracks, introducing military human rights monitors, and improving the medical system must be urgently implemented without delay."

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