The Korean War: Military Incentives In South Korea

1470 Words3 Pages

Jae Jun Lee
2/12/14
Theatre 357
Ayash Tripp

Military Incentives in South Korea

Ever since the ceasefire agreement took place in 1953 after the Korean War, all Korean men, excluding the disabilities, are obligated to serve in the Republic of Korea Army for at least two years. Due to the constant threat from the notorious North, such as vowing to cancel the ceasefire in 2013 after the U.S.-South Korean joint military drills, it is more vital than ever for Korean men to take part in the military to protect their families. Nonetheless, many people struggle to participate in the intense combat training and fail to adapt in the hierarchical military culture. To compensate for the rough period taken by men, the government agreed to grant incentive points for those applying for government positions and public officials since 1961 (Group Learning). However, the incentive point system became unconstitutional in 1999 from the grounds of those concerned with discrimination against women and the disabled, as it primarily benefits men who completed their military service. From my past experience as a discharged soldier in Korea, I believe that the incentive point system should be brought back but only with a revised system where men can be compensated without losing the equality of genders.
Since then, political parties in South Korea are fiercely debating on a newly proposed bill, which intends to revive a program that has once given incentives to job applicants with military backgrounds. The incentive point system grants bonus points to those who completed their military service and are applying for an employment in the public sector (Group Learning). However, the opponents claim this will only bring inequality among men and women that cr...

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