Lee Jong-seop "Considering Expansion of Soldiers' Mobile Phone Possession Time"... Military Plans Additional Pilot Operations Including '24-Hour System'

Possibility of Full-Scale Promotion as Part of President-Elect Yoon's Pledge

Lee Jong-seop "Considering Expansion of Soldiers' Mobile Phone Usage Time"... Military Plans Additional Pilot Operation [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's pledge to expand soldiers' mobile phone possession time is expected to be reviewed in line with the launch of the next government.

On the 1st, Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop stated in a written response submitted to Assemblyman Kang Daesik of the People Power Party, "We plan to review the expansion of soldiers' mobile phone possession time considering the impact on future mission performance and security," and gave a positive evaluation of soldiers' mobile phone use, saying, "I understand that it has many positive functions such as improving communication conditions and enhancing opportunities for self-development."

Currently, soldiers except trainees can use mobile phones after work on weekdays (18:00?21:00) and on weekends (08:30?21:00). This measure has been officially implemented since July 2020. Although this is a revolutionary change compared to past military units, there have been continuous criticisms that the uniform usage time restrictions do not fully realize the intended allowance.

Last year, the civilian-government-military joint committee for improving military culture also recommended "reviewing the mobile phone usage policy to ensure communication with family and society and guarantee conditions for self-development."

The Ministry of National Defense has already completed the first pilot operation to review the expansion of possession.

The first pilot operation was conducted from November last year to February this year, targeting about 5,000 enlisted soldiers of the Army's 15th Division, divided into three groups: minimal type (after morning roll call until 08:30 AM, 5:30 PM to 9 PM), intermediate type (after morning roll call until 9 PM), and autonomous type (24 hours).

According to Assemblyman Kang, the pilot operation analysis showed that 72% of enlisted soldiers preferred the autonomous type, 45% preferred the intermediate type, and 2% preferred the minimal type.

In the pilot operation results submitted to Assemblyman Kang's office, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "Due to the single unit and short-term pilot operation, there was a limitation in securing sufficient data for analysis, so we plan to consider conducting additional pilot operations," and added, "We will decide on the plan for additional pilot operations after the new minister assumes office."

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