Gov't seeks to revive incentives for reservists

By Jun Ji-hye

The Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday that it will push to reintroduce a system of awarding bonus points to men who complete their two-year mandatory military service and then apply for civil service sector jobs ― a system which the Constitutional Court ruled to be unconstitutional in 1999.

“We expect the new incentive system to avoid the issue of unconstitutionality that has been raised so far regarding the system,” said an official from the ministry. “We will propose this to the National Assembly National Defense Committee this month.”

The committee plans to discuss the measure that can be put into practice by a revision to the Military Service Law in the June session of the National Assembly.

The ministry wants to hire extra reservists in addition to the publicized numbers of new hires for government and public-sector workplaces.

Rep. Han Ki-ho of the ruling Saenuri Party late last year proposed awarding reservists an extra 2 percentage points when they undertake recruitment examinations at government entities and public agencies with the proportion of beneficiaries not exceeding 20 percent of total recruitment.

Under a new proposal suggested by the defense ministry as an alternative to Han’s, the proportion of beneficiaries would be lowered to 10 percent.

For example, if a government agency recruits 100 employees, a maximum of 10 reservists can be additionally hired because of the extra points they are awarded for completing military service.

Both Han and ministry’s proposals say a Presidential decree should restrict the number of times extra points could be awarded.

The system was initially introduced in 1966 to help military veterans easily adapt to civilian life. But following the Constitutional Court’s declaration that said such system is “unconstitutional” because it discriminates against women and the disabled, it was abolished in 1999.

The proposed revision has been met with fierce opposition from women and disabled persons’ organizations.

But the defense ministry stressed that the influence of the unconstitutional ruling has been observed in its new proposal.

“The ministry will actively forge ahead with setting up extra points for reservists in order to compensate them for their sacrifice for country. Most of them lose many job opportunities while on active service,” said Lee Nam-woo, who is in charge of the health and welfare bureau in the ministry, in a briefing, Tuesday.

He added the ministry will seek close cooperation from the Ministry of Security and Public Administration and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to specify and eventually implement the plan.

All able-bodied Korean men must serve in the military for about two years.

However, women’s groups and disabled people say it goes against equity.

“The measure had been already found unconstitutional. Although it was supplemented in some ways, it still violates people’s right to equality and freedom of choosing a job. I cannot understand why the ministry enhances the measure that turns back the clock,” said Kim Jung-sook, chairwoman of Korean National Council of Women (KNCW).

She said serving in the military is a legal obligation on all able men, so it does not make sense to offer compensation for them for doing this.

“I could understand if the government raises soldiers’ wages. But employment is a really sensitive issue in this increasingly competitive society. All KNCW members including me are absolutely opposed to the proposed bill to be made into law,” said Kim.

Cho Yoon-sun, gender equality and family minister, previously also expressed her skepticism regarding the measure.

“It would be more appropriate to offer them the national pension or to raise monthly pay during their term of service, rather than adopting additional points,” she said during her confirmation hearing in March.