MMA Considers Gradual Abolition of Supplemental Service and Stricter Mental Health Screening Criteria

Military Manpower Administration (MMA) Commissioner Hong So-young announced on the 6th that the agency is in the final stages of reviewing a plan to gradually reduce and eventually abolish the supplemental service system to address the decline in military manpower caused by the demographic cliff, with the plan set to be reflected in the basic defense reform plan.

Furthermore, the MMA has reached a consensus with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to significantly reduce special service exemptions in the civilian sector, such as for arts and sports personnel, while maintaining only the minimum necessary personnel for essential public sectors like public health doctors. Regarding the reduction in the public health doctor workforce, it was suggested that shortening their service period is under review; however, specific reduction periods and timing must be decided by considering equity with medical officers and the military manpower supply situation.

To reduce the number of Grade 4 supplemental service personnel, the MMA is considering revising the mental health screening criteria: extending the treatment history threshold for assigning supplemental service from six months to one year, followed by a re-examination. Under this proposal, individuals would be classified as active duty if recovered, or as Grade 5 (exempt) if not.