3,000 Redundant Military Officers to Be Redeployed

Starting next year, about 3,000 redundant commissioned officers at educational organizations or vocational training courses will be gradually redeployed to forward units, the Defense Ministry said yesterday.

Gwon Du-hwan, in charge of personnel management at the ministry, said, “An estimated surplus of 3,000 officers exists at educational institutes and vocational training classes designed to prepare for life after discharge or at a variety of task forces.”

The ministry will transfer the excessive capacity to outpost bases such as forward units and strengthen supervision on the capacity limit.

“So far, company and field officers who play the key role in operating field units have been excessively deployed to educational institutions or task forces. This has facilitated a shortage of commissioned officers in outpost units, leading to laxity in enforcing the code of conduct and compromise of defensive readiness, along with numerous accidents at bases,” he said.

Under the new plan, the student capacity limits will be curtailed at educational institutes such as the Korea National Defense University and the service academies. About 200 officers on active duty at the Korean Army Headquarters in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province will be redeployed to the field.

The ministry will abolish 18 task forces established under the previous Roh Moo-hyun administration to support government policies and events.

Certain military sources welcomed the measure, saying it will make clear the defense minister’s will to prioritize “strengthening forward areas.”

They remained cautious, however, saying, “Certain officers are complaining that it seriously compromises their chance to develop themselves.”