University students may have to undergo mobilization exercise

By Jun Ji-hye

The Ministry of National Defense said Friday it was moving to include university students in reserve forces training in an effort to balance reserve exercise obligations.

“Authorities are discussing the measure as a way to enhance fighting power as the nation has faced a lack of soldiers in active service,” a high-ranking official told reporters, asking not to be named.

“The ministry will make a final decision after conducting opinion polls to study public sentiment and reviewing the national security situation.”

Under present laws, reserve forces need to undergo a three-day mobilization exercise at a designated military base annually for four years after finishing their national service.

But university students were excluded from 1971 to guarantee their right to learn. Their duty has been replaced with an eight-hour education program at their schools.

Critics have queried this practice, citing the decreasing number of reserve forces.

In the 1970s, about 4 million reserves were available to be mobilized, but that number has fallen to 2.9 million.

Critics also point out that the university entrance rate has dramatically increased, to 80 percent from 30 percent in the 1970s.

About 550,000 reserves are estimated to be studying in universities, the ministry said.

Besides university students, the ministry said that judges, prosecutors and lawmakers, as well as recipients of the national basic livelihood security system, could also be included in the mobilization reserve forces training.

The official said these people had received benefits in exemption from the duty of the three-day training. Their number is estimated at about 690,000.

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