Lawmakers called on the government to consider conscripting women as South Korea's pool of draft-eligible men shrinks with falling birth rates, raising the issue at a parliamentary audit of the Military Manpower Administration.
Rep. Yoo Young-ha of the People Power Party pushed for the introduction of conscription for women at the audit of the agency held in Daejeon on the 12th. "In one survey, at least, 59.6% support drafting women. The time has come to review this," he said.
"What Israel, Norway, Sweden and Denmark have in common is that they include women in the draft," Yoo said. "The number of men eligible for active duty will fall to 120,000 by 2040. It is time to put conscription for women on the table."
The poll Yoo cited was a survey on overhauling the military service system, conducted by the Reform Research Institute of the Reform Party on the 18th of last month among 1,006 people aged 18 and older nationwide. In the survey, 59.6% of respondents backed including women in the draft, while 34.0% opposed it. Among female respondents, 54.5% — more than half — were in favor.
"Having women serve in the military would require various preparations, including a restructuring of military units," Yoo said. "I believe the time has come for the government to put this on the table and review it."
Hong So-young, commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, responded: "I agree in part with your remarks. The administration will begin by raising awareness of the importance of fulfilling military service." On whether the policy would actually be pursued, the commissioner was cautious, saying, "I believe the most important thing for conscription of women is that social discussion takes place and that the public forms a consensus."
Rep. Cheon Ha-ram of the Reform Party also said the option should be weighed. "With military manpower declining, we need to consider alternatives like this one, rather than wringing out a dry towel, if we want efficient management," he said. "Please begin a serious review."
"By around 2043, the population of men in their 20s will drop to 120,000. That will not change even if we start having many more children now," Cheon said. "If we do not review the option of conscripting both sexes, it is undesirable in terms of combat capability and the national interest."
Cheon also pressed for an answer, citing a recent media interview by Hong in which the commissioner said conscription of women was not under review. Hong replied: "The official position of the Military Manpower Administration and the Ministry of National Defense is that it is not under review at present." The commissioner added, "But as commissioner, my point is that we will start now to build a national consensus on the importance of fulfilling military service, given the declining population, particularly for the period after 2040." Hong also said, "Rather than abruptly introducing conscription for women, the defense ministry and the administration are gradually raising the share of female officers while building consensus and preparing. I share your view and find it reasonable."