1) agree

by Ryu Hye-Ji
Dept.of Enviromental Engineering

Currently, the military service period for the Army, Navy and Air Force is 24, 26 and 28 months, respectively. The Ministry of National Defense plans to cut down the military service period by two to three months. It is little different in essence. The army recovered its morale and fighting power. And to solve the human resources, we will abolish all other forms of substitute service, such as service in the police, state-run companies and prisons, to fill the possible manpower gap in the military from the reduction of service period.

The plan to reshuffle the system requires service from all sound men over 19. It will streamline the military by reducing the number of troops, merging military bases and improving military service regulations.

Many guys dodge the draft in Korea by getting out of military service. Past dodges have been generally involved in knee or shoulder operations. It is a matter of sincere regret that such accidents should happen so frequently.2) disagree

by Song Jung-Ha
Dept.of Journalism & Mass Communication

I can not agree for a bill which has the term of military service reduce by just 2 months. Although Yoo Seung-min who is a member of Grand National Party suggested that the term of military service was shortened by 18 months, the Ministry of National Defens changed this term. The Ministry of National Defens keeps repeating their ridiculous action. First, the nation to select the conscription system maintain the period within 18 months. The Ministry of National Defens is raising an objection to improvement of fighting power or of stability in operation of military strength. To tell the truth, 10 months are sufficient for the infantryman to train. The term serving in the army in German is about 10~12 months. Even the nations which adopted conscription system support the salary in case of a special military. However, Korea already selected the paid volunteer system. In this situation, it is nonsense to mention fighting power. Second, they mention the falling birth rate. The falling means that young people have to support many aged population. Why do we have to keep population of small young people so long in army? We must not hold the obsolete custom for a coming fine future. Most of the advanced countries which asopted the conscription system keep the term within 1 year. In addition, because of the low birth rate, they maintain a number of military strengths within 1%. In my opinion, the most important matter of this problem is that the Ministry of National Defense do not reform current inconsistent idea and hold fast to his own view. They always think the military strength is insufficient. They have to reform their system to solve the shortage of military strength.

Ryu Hye-Ji, Song Jung-Ha  -

<저작권자 © The Campus Journal, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>