[Speech & Debate] Debate script : 여성징병제

You say that conscripting women to serve in the military is forcing them to enlist. However, we see it in the way that we actually protect women in the long run. If the situation in South Korea escalates to an all-out warfare, women without military training would be left unprotected, civilian jobs would no longer be needed, the country would need drone operators, medical personnel, and soldiers. All jobs that can be done by women. 

Additionally, unlike what you mentioned, in our proposition no women would be limited to non-combatant roles in the military.    As proven by the cases of militaries worldwide, Israel has indeed validated the capability of women to serve in combat roles. 17% of the army’s fighting force consist of female combat soldiers. (https://www.inss.org.il/strategic_assessment/opening-all-combat-positions-in-the-idf-to-women/) In Israel, 92% of all IDF roles are open to female candidates with women enlisted in 69% of the positions. So while you said that women are restricted from positions in the military, we argue that is simply not the case. The reason why women are unable to climb the ladder in the military is due to the lack of women in the military. 

 

We agree that the diminishing birth rate is a bigger complex issue and should be solved in the long run. However, in the current situation Korea cannot allow itself to look past the critical current situation of the absence of soldiers. You say the country could use artificial intelligence and unmanned weapons would be a more viable solution, yet

Introducing unmanned weapon system does not immediately alleviate the shortage of military personnel. In the case of the United States, the introduction of new unmanned weapon systems requires more personnel for operation, maintenance, and supply.

 

Furthermore, you say that the conscription of women would be contributing to the systemic gender inequality in the society. However, we have evidence from authoritative sources to say the opposite. 

https://www.inss.org.il/strategic_assessment/opening-all-combat-positions-in-the-idf-to-women/

Korea glass ceiling index:

According to the annual index released by The Economist, South Korea ranks the lowest among 29 OECD member nations for 12 consecutive years.

 

“The male-only conscription system led to criticism and stigma against women opting out of national duty," Kang In-hwa, an assistant humanities professor at Seoul National University who specializes in gender sociology, said in a 2023 study.

 

Lee Hye-jung, a researcher at the Legal Research Institute of Korea University, said.

“On the other hand, if women are denied conscription or imposed a women-exclusive alternative service under the notion that men and women are different, the existing gender divide will continue to cage women in the stereotype of femininity that defines them as subjects needing protection.

 

1. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES

Women are physically and mentally unfit for military operations. Women are generally shorter and lighter than men on average. They have less physical strength compared to men. Women’s ability of empathy is better than men, which means they may experience more psychological stress in the military.

REFUTATION->

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-09-02/why/WHY-Will-the-Korean-military-ever-draft-women/1860353

According to  Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), there were 15,000 servicewomen in Korea in 2022, up 50 percent from the 10,000 in 2016. The percentage of female officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the armed forces rose to 9 percent from 6.3 percent during the cited period. The Defense Ministry plans to increase that number to 15.3 percent by 2027.

 

Cho Kwan-ho, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA)

A second demographic "cliff" looms near as the population of men in their 20s is projected to drop below 220,000 in 2036, and further down to 120,000 in 2042.

 

Conscripting obese men:

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20231214000685

The proposed change will lower the bottom threshold from the current BMI of 16 to 15 while raising the upper limit from the current 35 to 40. Therefore, the number of those who are underweight and overweight who can join the Army as active duty soldiers will increase.

 

a.  Women can go to ROTC - Reserve Officers' Training Corps, cadet academies, non-commissioned offices as military officers, firefighters, and police officers, so why is enlisted military service not possible?

 

Thus, one central claim is that women are injured more than men due to the physical strain involved in combat unit positions and their lesser physiological capabilities. In a symposium held by the US Department of Defense, it was found that the gap in the extent of injuries stems from the gap in levels of fitness, and that when the level of fitness is the same, the risk of injury is the same for women and men.

 

b. While there are studies showing that less women pass army fitness tests, they still show a certain percentage of women - up to 52% of US trainee women and 72% for female officers - passing it, making that category of women fit for combat. To compare, 83 to 90% of men pass that same test. There is a significant percentage of people belonging to both genders unable to pass the ACFT test, which is completely normal. The test should not be made easier for women, it must remain a standard to determine who is fit to serve in active combat positions and has a physical skill set to do so.  (Independent Review of the Army Combat Fitness Test, stems from the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act)

 

c.  Israel has indeed validated the capability of women to serve in combat roles. 17% of the army’s fighting force consist of female combat soldiers. (https://www.inss.org.il/strategic_assessment/opening-all-combat-positions-in-the-idf-to-women/) In Israel, 92% of all IDF roles are open to female candidates with women enlisted in 69% of the positions. 

Furthermore, Norway also conscripts women, with over 20% serving in combat roles.

Opening positions to women will expand the potential to find suitable candidates and enhance unit performance. 

d. Those unfit for combat can be assigned to non-combat unit or other alternative service or social service.

2. MENTAL HEALTH & STRESS

 A study (Women in Combat: Stress, Social Support, and Health) conducted in the US military found that there is no significant difference in the impacts of stress involved in exposure to battle on the overall health of men and women.

 

General Hertling, commander of United States Army Europe, was quoted as follows: "Having served with women in combat, and having seen their courage and skills, I can personally say I have ZERO concerns about women on the front lines in combat units" .  

 

2. SEXUAL ASSAULT

Women in the military are vulnerable to sexual assault due to a male-dominated military culture. 

There was a case where a female Air Force non-commissioned officer committed suicide after being sexually harassed by a colleague. (공군 이중사 사망사건) Implementing female conscription could lead to a sharp increase in such incidents.

 

REFUTATION->

(1)   Men are also vulnerable to sexual assault, if we avoid military service due to fear of sexual assault, nobody will serve in the military.

(2)   Solving the issue of male violence by separating them from women is a logical error and is not in the best interests of society. Men who are raping their fellow soldiers are mentally unwell and should not be in the military in the first place.

(3)   We can consider operating units composed entirely of women in the starting period after the start of the female draft.

(4)   If the number of female soldiers increases, it will naturally lead to improvements in their treatment and their voice will be heard more clearly.

 

3. BIRTH RATE

 

REFUTATION->

a.  The main issue with the birth rate in Korea is the choice made by many women to not have children. It is an existing issue with no roots in military service and not drafting women would not solve it. A solution would involve a drastic change in the current female mentality.

b. Most women delay having children to prioritize their education or career. The government can provide additional education opportunities and career training that would enhance the prospects of a woman and make her more financially secure after finishing her service, potentially making the decision to have children more welcome. We propose to bring back the point system giving men and women who served in the combat units of the military advantages for their public service roles. 

c.  The state would implement a policy of military service exemption for women who have children. There is such a policy for men who have 3 kids before 30 already.

 

UNIT COHESION

Soldiers in US mixed units have generally attested that the connection in integrated units was good, and even better than in all-male units. In addition, a study conducted for SOCOM that examined mixed teams, such as FBI task forces and elite firefighting units, found that women demonstrated sufficient physical capabilities as well as mental strength and the willingness to take risks, and that their integration did not negatively affect the performance of the team. Most soldiers also emphasize that women should not be perceived based on their "femininity," but only based on their capabilities. 

 

3. BUDGET  & ACCOMODATION

More budget spendings. Women require accommodations unnecessary for all-male units. Women get periods, making them more vulnerable in the unsanitary situations of the front lines.

 

REFUTATION->

KIDA - The military has been trying to offer a better service environment for women to that end, including setting up 734 women’s toilets and lounges at bases across Korea between 2019 and 2022.

 

a) Accommodations for privacy and hygiene are not unnecessary expenses and should be provided both for men and women. Such things contribute to mission readiness as well as to the health and well-being of the soldiers.

b) There are no statistics showing the trend of female units taking up more budget than male ones.

c) Many militaries have experience accommodating women in combat zones. There are menstrual products designed for portability, discretion, and ease of use. There can be accommodations made for female soldiers, like sick leave, adjusting their training exercise schedules.

 

 

REFUTATION->

a) Childbirth is not an obligation nor is it a national security issue. A woman may choose to not have children, which more and more Korean women do. Women who do have children before they are 30 would be exempt from their military service to focus on their family, just as men are now.

 

4. The social trend is getting rid of the draft service. 

 

REFUTATION -> 

I would love to know where your information about the social trend is coming from. As of now Korea is a country in the midst of a war. Wartime is generally not a time to make a shift from mandatory military service to a voluntary one, even if the patriotism levels in the country are high and especially with the diminishing numbers of the South Korean army. Additionally, another argument could be made that drafting women would start a new positive social trend, a step towards a more modern and let

 

Women should go to training for 3 months in the summer:

 

Women would not get proper training in such a short time, no bootcamp training would create more issues. An untrained individual is dangerous, especially in command. 

Women who are not qualified and cannot perform physically and mentally at the same level as men should not be in the combat units. 

Presumably at first only a few women will succeed in being accepted into combat units, but any social change involves a prolonged process. It is necessary to overcome social conceptions that are instilled at a young age and devise ways to cope with a challenging masculine environment. This was the norm in every new area where women advanced – from secretaries to managers, from nurses to doctors, and so on. 

 

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Hi:)

Urraaa!

 

Dear judges, throughout the course of this debate we have tried to draw your attention to the issue that cannot be overlooked, the diminishing rate of military personnel in South Korea. A demographic "cliff" looms near as the population of men in their 20s is projected to drop below 220,000 in 2036, and further down to 120,000 in 2042. This is not enough manpower to guarantee the country's national security. We have proposed to solve this issue by drafting women in the military, on the ground that they are just as physically and mentally fit as men are. The opposing team has proposed to viable alternative solution for the problem, focusing their attention on hypothetical long-term responses. It is true that after the female draft women might struggle at first, but any social change involves a prolonged process. It is necessary to overcome social conceptions that are instilled at a young age and devise ways to cope with a challenging masculine environment. The military is adapting and the performance of mixed units is just as good, and in some cases even better than all-male units. To make this transition even easier on women we propose to focus on  providing additional education opportunities and career training that would enhance the prospects of a woman and make her more financially secure after finishing her service. That in turn could also impact the alarming korean birth rates, making the decision to have more children more welcome for women.

In case of a war, untrained individuals would be a danger to themselves and to others. There is no reason why the military cannot adapt to prioritize the safety and well being of female soldiers while also maintaining a standard for them.

 

Their arguments:

Should not be “forced” to enlist

Does conscripting women offer a solution to the declining military power? Short term solution, oversimplifies the issue. The trend of diminishing birth rate would continue

 

Systemic issues in the military, men dominated environment, sexual abuse

 

KIMA - other measures, new defense systems, incorporating artificial intelligence

 

Technology > military size

 

1. How can a society with different obligations for its citizens achieve gender equality? 
2. Protecting your country is a national responsibility, yet right now only men are actually 

it is not acceptable to vacate the 155-mile DMZ line.  What would be the alternative except drafting women? We can do debate and stuff right at this moment because somebody is in the front line looking after North Korea.

Would Granting military exemption to women who give birth potentially increase the birth rate - good?

What are the example of glass ceiling? Women not being able to take on high positions in comoanies