청 "Women's Conscription System Should Be Decided Carefully Through Social Consensus"

청, 여성징병제 국민청원에 답변…"병역제도 개편 논의는 국가 안보의 핵심 사안"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House expressed a cautious stance regarding the female conscription system, stating that it is an issue that must be decided through social consensus.

On the 18th, the Blue House responded to the national petition titled 'Consideration of Introducing Female Conscription.' The petitioner requested the consideration of introducing conscription for women, citing significant difficulties in replenishing military personnel due to declining birth rates and noting that the male conscription rate is approaching 90%. The petition garnered 290,000 supporters.

The view of Cheongwadae from Namsan, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Blue House stated, "Discussions on reforming the military service system are a core matter of national security. Therefore, decisions must be made based on factors such as the possibility of maintaining standing forces considering the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and military effectiveness."

The Blue House emphasized, "In particular, female conscription is not limited to the issue of supplementing troop requirements but includes various contentious points. It is a matter that requires careful decision-making through sufficient public discourse, including national consensus and social agreement."

The Blue House added, "For female conscription to be practically implemented, comprehensive research and prior preparation regarding the military service environment and the improvement of a gender-equal military organizational culture must be thoroughly conducted," and pledged, "The government will continue efforts to improve military culture as well as service conditions and treatment."

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