 |
| ▲This photo, provided by National Assembly, shows head of MMA. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- The head of South Korea's military manpower agency, Lee Ki-sik, said on Friday that he believes "It is desirable of BTS to do mandatory active military service.
Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration (MMA), regarding the question on BTS' military service issue, said "We are currently facing manpower shortage, and fairness and equality are the most important for the military service" at the National Assembly audit of MMA on Friday.
Lee's response is the same as that of the commissioner of the Department of Defense on Tuesday.
Lee has been maintaining cautious stance regarding BS's alternative services in their respective fields and remained the same on Friday.
Commissioner Lee "fully agreed" to national assembly member Kim who called for the abolition of alternative service and reduction of skilled industrial Personnel.
Lee said, "We plan to reduce the number of Technical Research Personnel, Skilled industrial personnel etc. to 1,2000 by 2026, and we have already abolished duty conversion such as combat police," adding "MMA will continue to put such efforts to reduce whatever we can reduce."
Regarding military alternative social workers, Lee revealed that "Those who receive level 4 at physical exam are social workers but we are trying to reduce that number as well."
He added, "Because there is a shortage of manpower for military service, we will make a new physical exam standard so that those who have enough ability required by the military can serve in active military duty while giving level 5 to those who have psychological problems in order to reduce the number of military alternative social workers."
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
