College students may choose enlistment date

Starting next year, college students who wish to enter the armed services may be able to select their enlistment date and boot camp of their choice. The Office of the Military Manpower Administration revealed the changes for next year through the report submitted to the National Assembly's administrative inspection board Thursday.

According to the report, those entering the armed services while still in college will be able to submit the desired dates through the Web site at www.mma.go.kr. Following the submission, the students will be able to see the dates available and make the final selection of the exact dates of their reporting for duty.

Also starting next year, during the draft inspection, the results of the physical examination will be automatically entered into an electronic card, which then can be electronically verified and for automated decision process. Through such real-time publication of draft inspection process, the armed forces hopes to cut down on the draft irregularities.

The OMMA also plans to establish a central physical examination facility that will re-examine those exempted from draft at regional physical examination facilities, creating a double-check system for physical exemptions. For those exempted and other civil matters, the OMMA will contact via telephone or through e-mail for the convenience of the individuals.

In addition, a network will be established via the Internet between the regional OMMA offices and other armed personnel facilities for public good and welfare. Through the network, regional facilities of public good and welfare may request armed personnel for assignment to their facilities and will be given access to the database of availability for the armed service personnel.

Hwang Yoo-Seong yshwang@donga.com