TAIPEI (TVBS NEWS) — The extension of the mandatory military service has been under discussion for some time in Taiwan. However, the government has yet to announce plans for the possible extension of the conscription system.
"There is likely a consensus now, but I want to announce it after everything is confirmed, according to procedures," said Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng. The extension of the service period is expected to affect internal and external political affairs.
Media have speculated that the announcement will come in December, after the 9-in-1 elections.
"It will involve the question of the willingness of the citizens; because if you change from two years to one year, and now you want to enlist everyone," said Legislator Johnny Chiang. "When you want to change it back, it will be more difficult to change from more to less, so that's why the Tsai government has a lot of concerns."
According to a report from the Budget Center of the Legislative Yuan, the total number of volunteer soldiers in the National Army was 162,000 at the end of June, an 84.98% ratio. With Taiwan seeing a lower birth rate, the military is expected to recruit even fewer people in the future.
Song Guo-cheng, a researcher at the Institute of International Affairs at National Cheng Chi University explained that "there is such a huge disparity in military power across the Taiwan Strait, and our international environment is not necessarily that friendly at the moment. If we still do not increase the number of our troops, I would like to ask: how will we defend our own country?"
As cross-strait tensions remain high, the problems the national army is currently facing are urgent issues that need to be tackled as quickly as possible.