Recently, the alternative system for military service has become a hot topic. What are some of the special provisions for military personnel and why are they so talked about? The alternative system for military service is used for special cases in which a person who is obliged to serve in the military, does not have to serve in the military. The regulation requires the replacement of military service obligations with service at a designated research institution or industry. The most talked about part is special military service in the arts and sports circles.

The alternative service system for art and sports personnel is as follows: Elite athletes and artists not required to do military service if they can demonstrate certain achievements using their special abilities. In these cases, their military duty obligation can be fulfilled by serving the public interest for two years and 10 months using their careers. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) of the Republic of Korea provides special military service benefits to those with special skills in the arts and sports field based on Article 33 paragraph 71 of the Military Service Act. The above regulation, which gives privileges to athletes who win international competitions and other prizes, was first implemented in 1973.

Since the 1990s, only Olympic bronze medalists or gold medalists from the Asian Games have been granted specialties to continue their activities in the field of specialties as public service personnel instead of serving in the military on active duty, thus contributing to the promotion of national prestige.

So, what about people’s perception of military service privileges? If you look at related words in blogs, cafes and other documents regarding military service, the prevailing opinion in that a change is needed. According to the survey, as many as 70.9 percent (approval) and 43.9 percent (approval). It is not conclusive, but there seems to be a change in people’s perception.

If you look at opposition to special military service, it will be reduced to three. First, considering the purpose of the system, is special military service appropriate for this era? While Olympic medals and Asian Games wins help the national team, on the one hand, the country’s status may be compromised by the special military service. Overseas, for example, they ridicule the military service exemption by comparing it to drug shots, saying that the nation’s footballers and baseball players were given a so-called “military lead.” Rather than the winning football itself. the foreign media attention to the military service that poured into players like Heuong-Min Son ignored the sweat and effort of the athletes and overshadowed the value of the medal.

Second, in terms of scope, serious questions about equity have emerged. Both the arts and sports are limited to certain sports and minority areas. In addition, there are contests that are recognized as special military service in the same sports and field, and as in the above law provisions, it may be said that KPOP stars such as BTS play the greatest role in promotion national prestige, but it is also difficult to draw the right answer to it.

Third, it is our perception problem. According to the law, the military service exemption is a reward given to the winner of the medal. Players who have failed to win but have outstanding skills, and who are in desperate need of exemption from military service for the next championship, must go to the military. There is room for thought from the exceptional view point.

To solve these problems, there should no longer be cases of military service that undermine and make jokes about the sports spirit such as “running hard to avoid going to the military.” On the national side, a mandatory military service grace period should be granted to ensure that athletes’ live will not be disrupted and that conditions for them to serve honorably with the public interest activities set at the right time. In addition, a rational and objective system and transparent management measures should be put forward.

L.L.F reporter Sang-Beom Lee