By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The Ministry of National Defense is considering allowing female college students to become ROTC cadets as part of efforts to secure enough military personnel for the coming years.
The plan was revealed by Rep. Kim Ok-ee of the governing Grand National Party during a National Assembly inspection of the ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul.
``To increase female personnel in the military, the ministry should consider allowing female college students to become ROTC cadets,'' Kim said.
She cited a survey conducted last year in which 94 percent of female respondents said such an ROTC program should be introduced.
About 36 percent of respondents said they were willing to apply for the ROTC, said the legislator.
A ministry spokesman said the suggestion will be reviewed from the mid- to long-term perspective.
Currently, women are only able to join the military as non-commissioned officers after graduating from university or college.
South Korea maintains a compulsory conscription system in which all men over 19 are required to serve 24 to 27 months in the military.