I am going to upload part of my summer research report on the comparison of conscription policies in Taiwan and in South Korea here in the hope of sharing information with those who are also interested in the issue. It is just a preliminary research, which means that this is the beginning of my research, not the final product at all. If there are any misunderstandings in this (and in the following few postings), I would like to find out soon rather than later.
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The Military Service Act of the ROC was founded in 1933 when Mainland China was still under the rule of the KMT. The law had been amended a couple of times in accordance with the changing political environment, and the mandatory conscription was included in the ROC constitution in 1947. The current system that consists of both conscripted and voluntary armies was adopted in the law’s amendment of 1954. In 1996, however, the Ministry of Defense submitted “the Plan on National Military Organization and Manpower (國軍軍事組織及兵力規劃案),” through which the need to reduce the number of soldiers and professionalize the military personnel was widely recognized. After intensive political debates, under the condition of “The Principle of the Three ‘No’s (三不原則),” which is “no influence on the source of military manpower, no decline in the quality of soldiers, and no violation of the equality in military service (不影響兵源，不降低兵源素質及違反兵役公平),” the alternative service system was adopted in 2000. Alternative service includes various social works with, for example, the police, education, international development, hospitals and technological development. Approximately 35,000 males out of 150,000 conscripts are charged in alternative service every year.
The adequateness of the current mandatory military service still is an important issue in political debates both in media and election campaigns. The length of military services was shortened from two years to 18 months, and a recent report written by the National Security Committee (國安會) also indicated that the conscription will be shortened to one year in 2008.
There have been many academic theses, articles and media reports regarding the issue of conscription or voluntary army published over the last decade. In academic journals, the conscription policy has been discussed not only from a military strategic point of view (such as articles in Taiwan Defense Affairs (國防政策評論) and The National Defense Journal (國防雜誌)), but also from a perspective of human rights and legal studies (Lawyer’s Journal (律師雜誌)) as well as labor efficiency (Journal of Labours’ Friends (勞工之友)). Both in those journal articles and newspaper reports, the overall trend in the discussions on this issue is leaning towards the future abolishment of the conscription system. Mainstream newspapers of different political colors all support the adoption of an all-voluntary army in the future (聯合，自由，中時). According to a survey conducted by the KMT in May 2002, 65% of the respondents supported the implementation of an all-voluntary military system, and 62% agreed that a voluntary military would be more effective. Although there are some individuals that strongly advocate an immediate abolition of the conscription system in the mass media, I could not find an official NGO or organization dedicated to that particular goal. (to be continued)
Looks like you’re off to a good start! Can’t wait to see the rest!
Michael
Interesting topic. What are the numbers of conscientious objectors in Taiwan? How many of those are in prison? How many are living outside Taiwan and unable to return for fear of being imprisoned?
I suspect in Taiwan there are many people who are not conscientious objectors, but try to escape conscription for other reasons. I think living outside Taiwan or having some sort of medical condition are the main ways they use to avoid conscription.
It is surprising that there is no NGO in Taiwan for this. I guess the introduction of alternative service may have relieved some of the problems.
Thank you for your comments, Michel and David.
I am sorry if the previous title of this posting caused any confusion, but this series is on the comparison between Taiwan and South Korea, not solely on Taiwan’s conscription policy. But Taiwan is my benchmark; it might still be interesting for you.
David, as far as I know, conscientious objectors are not imprisoned in Taiwan, but are allowed to do civilian duties. I don’t know the details of how they determine who are considered as legitimite conscientious objectors, because they use a lottery system to select from applicants to alternative service, I think.
I haven’t done research yet on Taiwanese expats who cannot go home because of the conscription system (thank you for reminding me that I should!). My impression from what my Taiwanese friends told me is that the system is not as strict as Korea in terms of all male citizens abroad having to go back to serve the military or not being able to go back because of it.