Bill to Monitor Military Service by Upper Class

Both ruling and opposition party legislators will propose a bill to put the military duty records of the upper-income class and their children under closer supervision.

Thirty-six lawmakers agreed to submit today a military law revision bill to monitor the military service of high-ranking officials, people who pay high income and comprehensive real estate taxes, entertainers and athletes.

The bill covers those required to report to the government under law on reporting and unveiling military duty records and their children, high-income taxpayers who earn a certain income and their children, and those paying high real estate taxes and their offspring.

Those to face tougher scrutiny over their military service will also include members of entertainment organizations such as the Motion Picture Association of Korea and Korea Entertainment Association, and those registered with athletic groups such as the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korean Professional Football League.

Since certain ruling party members are skeptical over including high-income taxpayers, the bill is likely to cause controversy. The Military Manpower Administration, which was ordered by President Lee Myung-bak to closely monitor whether people in the upper-income class are fulfilling their mandatory military duty, is aggressively in favor of the bill.

The income and comprehensive real estate tax standard will be set to top 0.5 to 1 percent. If decided, around 100,000 taxpayers and their children will be monitored.

The bill also requires closer scrutiny on the targeted group ranging from physical checks to joining the military to exemption from military service.

sunshade@donga.com