Military lets its conscripts take more time off

The military on Friday began to allow rank-and-file soldiers to go off base after work for four hours on weekdays up to twice a month. The measure is aimed to help soldiers communicate with society better and ensure they get sufficient rest in advance of military maneuvers and drills, the Defense Ministry said.

The implementation came after the ministry launched pilot operations in 13 units in all branches of the military in August last year.

A ministry official said the pilot operations of the measure showed that it improves communication and unity, raises morale and allows soldiers to meet with family members and take care of personal affairs.

“In the course of the pilot measure, we have seen no major problems in maintaining our readiness posture against military emergencies,” he said. “There was no laxity of discipline nor problems in carrying out missions at individual units.”

Under the measure, troops are allowed to leave their posts after work between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. They can apply for off-base time to meet their friends and relatives, get medical treatment, study or for other personal purposes.

For a soldier, going off base is restricted to twice a month, but there are no restrictions on the number of times a squad or platoon can go off-base as a reward.

In the case of a group activity, the consumption of alcohol off-base is permitted with the approval of a commander.

Troops may only go to an area that a military unit takes responsibility in terms of its military maneuvers. The number of soldiers going off-base, including those on vacation, cannot be more than 35 percent of a unit’s entire force.

In Korea, all able-bodied male adults are obliged to serve in the military for about two years with strict exceptions.

Over the past year, the ministry has been trying to devise ways to improve the culture of military barracks, which has long been criticized as too closed and repressive for draftees, who are mostly in their early 20s.

Yonhap