SEOUL, The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday unveiled a set of campaign pledges aimed at enhancing the welfare of military personnel, ahead of April’s parliamentary elections.

The measures include an increase in night duty pay for soldiers and civilian military employees to match that of regular government officials.

“Special consideration is needed for the devotion and hard work of our national defenders,” DP Chairman Lee Jae-myung said during a visit to a marine forces unit in Gimpo, west of Seoul.

The DP pledged support for health care checkups for military officials serving 20 years or more consecutively and the expansion of housing for those above the rank of sergeant.

The party also committed to collaborating with mobile carriers to increase the mobile fee discount from the current 20 percent to 50 percent.

In addition, the DP will expand various educational opportunities for military personnel by supporting tuition fees for their online classes.

The comprehensive measures also e
ncompass a reduction in the mandatory training period for military reserve forces from four to three years during their first to fourth years of service.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for a minimum of 18 months, typically enlisting in their early 20s. Following discharge, they are obligated to serve as reservists for approximately eight years, including six years of training.

Source: Yonhap News Agency