New enlistment rule aims to prevent disruption for returning junior doctors

The government will amend the law to allow for flexibility in the timing of medical cadet applications in preparation for the return of trainee doctors in September. This is to ensure that returning junior doctors do not have their training disrupted by issues related to enlistment.

On Thursday, the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) announced the proposed amendments to the enforcement decree of the Military Service Act. The amendment will be implemented on Sept. 19 after collecting opinions.

The amendment allows the current timing of submitting applications for medical cadets to be adjusted to operate flexibly if the MMA commissioner approves.

The addendum also allows trainee doctors who were recruited shortly before the amendment went into effect to benefit. Those recruited between Aug. 22 and Sept. 19 will be able to apply to become a cadet if they submit their applications within 15 days of the effective date.

The medical cadet system allows licensed physicians, dentists, and herbalists to defer their military service during specialty training, and then serve as military doctors or public health professionals.

However, it was only possible to defer military service by applying by Feb. 10 of each year, and it was not possible to defer military service if they passed an internship or applied for additional recruitment after that.

This amendment will allow the MMA commissioner to adjust the application deadline to accommodate additional recruitment or return to service. Currently, there are about 2,400 trainee doctors who are about to enlist in the military.

“The current enforcement decree sets the deadline for submitting medical cadet applications by Feb. 10 of the year of recruitment following the regular recruitment schedule for medical majors,” the MMA said. “If there is an urgent need to adjust the supply and demand of medical personnel, it is necessary to adjust the timing of medical cadet applications, unlike the current regulations, and it is difficult to respond with the current regulations.”

“To ensure the smooth supply and demand of military medical personnel, we intend to establish a flexible operating basis for the timing of medical cadet applications,” the agency said.

MMA will specify the rules for supporting medical cadets in case of exceptional circumstances, such as additional recruitment of majors, and ensure that medical officers and other personnel are transferred to medical cadets as soon as possible after recruitment, it added.