As China continues its armed protests against Taiwan, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry is reportedly considering mandatory service for women due to a shortage of troops.
According to Taiwanese media such as Yonhap News Agency on the 25th, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense recently said that the possibility of introducing a conscription system for women requires a comprehensive evaluation in terms of military power demand, training volume, and training location.
The ministry also added that it is continuously collecting and organizing data on the current operation of women’s forces in advanced countries.
Some Taiwanese media reported that the Ministry of Defense recently included women’s compulsory service as a research project during a discussion at the presidential office on the proportion of Taiwanese troops.
However, it has not yet reached the stage of revising the relevant laws, and Taiwan President Lei Ching-deh said he has not taken any instructions or decisions.
Taiwan’s armed forces are currently largely filled with volunteers, with compulsory service serving as supporters.
Earlier in December 2022, then-President Tsai Ing-wen announced that the mandatory military service period would be extended from four months to one year, effective January 1, 2024.
However, experts pointed out that even if the period of compulsory service is extended to one year due to the low birth rate, the decrease in the number of troops is irreversible.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
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