veterans extra point system in Korea

by Jiin, Lee

As for formerly acceptable outrages, I would talk about veterans extra point system in my country. In Korea, military service is mandatory to men for 2 years. So, when men are over 18, they should get a physical examination and they go to the army unless there is any special excuse such as very poor eyesight or bad health conditions. Since the military service in Korea is a duty, Korean government had given extra points to the men who were discharged from the military service when they apply the tests for the public jobs like teachers or the public servants in order to compensate for the time in the army. For instance, a man who finished his duty in the army took a test for the job, one or two points could be added to his score.

However, Korean women felt that they are discriminated and made a loss because of this system. The reason was that the competition for the public jobs was so fierce that the results could be changed by one or two points. In other words, if a man did a military service, he could get through the test although he got a lower score than a woman’s, whereas a woman, who took a same test, failed the test. So, Korean women had claimed that veterans extra point system should be abolished since 1999 and finally Korean government accepted it in 2001. Now, in Korea, the military service is still mandatory, but there isn’t any compensation for it. However, this issue is still controversial in Korea.

In my opinion, as a woman in Korea, I oppose to veterans extra point system. Of course I admit Korean men’s contribution, so they should be compensated for their commitment. However, I think no one should be affected negatively because of the excuse to indemnify for men’ commitment. Especially, as far as a job which is directly related to a means of living is concerned, it should be considered seriously. There can be another way to give them benefits. To exemplify, the Korean government can give them higher pension or various tax benefits. To conclude, I assert that the Korean government should find a way to compensate for the veterans’ contribution which both men and women can be satisfied with.