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Taiwan to tighten eligibility for alternative military service

ROC Central News Agency

12/29/2022 06:46 PM

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) Conscripts who were born in 2005 and after and opt to fulfill their duties in the alternative military service will only be allowed to do so for family or religious-related reasons, according to the Executive Yuan on Thursday.

Currently, those applying for alternative service are evaluated based on their relevant skills, qualifications in research and development, and reasons pertaining to family and religion.

According to Shen Che-fang (沈哲芳), director-general of the National Conscription Agency, the change in the rules will not affect individuals born before 2005.

The move comes after President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced on Tuesday that the government has decided to extend compulsory military service from the current four months to one year, starting Jan. 1, 2024, and involving conscripts who were born on Jan. 1, 2005 and after.

Tsai also promised to increase the monthly salary of conscripts, from the current starting salary of NT$6,510 (US$212) to NT$20,320, to make sure they earn enough to cover their basic daily expenses.

Those born on Jan. 1, 2005 and after who qualify for the alternative program will be required to serve no more than one year and two months, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said, noting that the increased monthly salary will also apply.

Conscripts applying for alternative service with family-related issues currently have to serve four months, while it is six to 18 months for others, the MOI said.

From 2024 onward, the period of service will be adjusted to one full year for individuals applying based on family-related reasons and 14 months for individuals citing religious reasons, Deputy Interior Minister Chen Tsung-yen (陳宗彥) told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

Since 2020, service members on the alternative program have received basic emergency medical technician (EMT-1) training, Chen said, adding that target practice and public defense mobilization courses will be increased starting next year.

According to the MOI, the alternative service program was launched in 2000 as part of efforts to downsize the military, enabling conscripts to work in government agencies while fulfilling their military duties. Service members mainly care for the socially disadvantaged, engaging in social welfare, law enforcement, firefighting, as well as serving the educational, medical and cultural needs of remote regions.

(By Lai Yu-chen, Chen Chun-hua and Ko Lin)

Enditem/AW