Navy to reduce seaborne duty requirement to attract new recruits

• Published date: 09 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

South Korea's Navy plans to shorten enlisted service members' seaborne duty requirement by two months on a trial basis in an effort to attract new recruits, officials said Thursday.

It unveiled the plan as part of "special measures" to boost enlistment amid concerns that the Navy could face a staffing challenge due to the prospects of a troop shortfall caused by the nation's low birthrate, and aspiring sailors' lingering aversion to ship-based service.

The Navy plans to reduce the current mandatory six-month ship duty to four months for enlistees starting service in June, the officials said.

It plans to...