The business sector has requested that the government allow alternative military service at "research institutes affiliated with major corporations" for domestic science and engineering talent, but it was confirmed that the government has taken a stance of non-acceptance. While voices are high in the industrial sector arguing that special military service exemptions should be expanded to enhance competitiveness in advanced industries and prevent the outflow of specialized personnel, contrary to the sports field, there is criticism that the government is sticking to its existing policy.
According to the business sector on the 7th, regarding the "Improvement Plan for Alternative Service System for Science and Engineering Talent and Advanced Industry Development" submitted by the Federation of Korean Industries (hereinafter referred to as FKI) to the government in July, the competent ministry, the Military Manpower Administration, recently responded with a clear line that it "cannot accept" the request.
The "Special Research Personnel" system, which the FKI previously requested improvements for, allows active duty conscripts to fulfill their military service by serving as research personnel for three years at institutions designated by the Military Manpower Administration, such as corporate-affiliated research institutes. The problem is that work at major corporations, which was previously allowed, has been prohibited, making service possible only at research institutes affiliated with small and mid-sized companies, leading to a spread of aversion among science and engineering talent. The Military Manpower Administration stopped new personnel allocation to major corporations in 2013 and also banned the system allowing transfers to major corporations after 18 months of service at small and mid-sized companies in 2021.
A business sector official criticized, "The reason for introducing the system was to prevent career interruptions for advanced industry personnel and to prevent talent from flowing overseas, but with major corporations excluded from the target, the purpose has been undermined." The official added, "In particular, talents who have obtained master's or doctoral degrees abroad either do not use the system at all because their expectations do not match, or after serving at small and mid-sized company research institutes, they turn to overseas companies without hesitation."
In response, the Military Manpower Administration explained, "Considering the sharp decrease in military service resources due to the decline in the population of young people in their 20s, controversies over fairness and equity in fulfilling military service, the relative sense of deprivation among active duty soldiers, and the labor shortage at SME (small and medium-sized enterprise)s, we have reduced the number of supplementary personnel such as special research personnel and restricted service at major corporations." The administration added, "If this is re-allowed, it is expected that the same problems as in the past will recur."
However, they pointed out that the system for serving at major corporation-affiliated research institutes has been partially resumed only for the AI (Artificial Intelligence) field. In fact, recently, the Ministry of Science and ICT recommended Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Samsung Medison, and HD Hyundai Robotics as designated companies for special research personnel at major corporations, and selection and personnel allocation by the Military Manpower Administration are expected to follow in the future.
However, this system will also be operated temporarily for only three years starting next year. There are also opinions that its effectiveness is low because the criteria for selecting major corporations are strict. To be selected as a designated company for special research personnel, one must meet criteria such as △an R&D (Research and Development) investment ratio of 5% or more relative to revenue, △possession of global-level R&D (Research and Development) achievements, and △research fields that do not directly compete with SME (small and medium-sized enterprise)s.
in INDUSTRY
