Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Head of new party vows to require military service for female police applicants
Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the Reformist Party, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday, as Rep. Yang Hyang-ja, its floor leader, stands beside him. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
Lee Jun-seok, the leader of a self-styled moderate conservative party, vowed on Monday to introduce legislation to require military service for all women who want to apply for certain government positions such as police officers.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul, Lee, 38, said that he would press ahead with changing to the current system that requires all able-bodied men ― only men ― to serve in the military for at least 18 months.
“The Reformist Party will make military service mandatory for those who want to apply for jobs police, maritime police, firefighting and correction divisions and agencies regardless of gender as early as 2030,” he said. “Article 39 (1) of the Constitution says all citizens should share the duty of national defense. But so far, only the half (of the population) has shared that burden.”
Faced with intensifying security threats from North Korea amid South Korea’s rapidly falling birthrate, Lee said such change is essential to sustain sufficient defense capabilities.
Military experience would be more useful for those jobs than “getting one or two more correct answers” on the qualification tests, Lee said, adding that the military would be able to recruit an additional “10,000 to 20,000” applicants annually if the new policy comes into force.
He added that his party would review whether to expand the policy to more government posts if it proves to be successful.
The message appears to be aimed at young male voters, the core base of his party, ahead of the general elections on April 10 as it tries to differentiate itself from the ruling conservative People Power Party.