The defense ministry says that the period of required military service for male citizens has not changed. The ministry released a statement Thursday in response to media reports that it is backpedaling on its plan to convert Taiwan’s military to an all-volunteer force.
The government has decided to delay the introduction of an all-volunteer military by a year. However, the conscription period will remain the same. Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun explains.
"Those born before January 1, 1994 who are eligible for military conscription are either recruited as conscripts or volunteers," Sun said. "Whether they are doing conventional military service or alternative military service, their period of required service is one year. They will not be serving more or less than that period, even as we reform recruitment system. The only difference is that they might change from doing alternative military service to mandatory military service, but the minister says there will be no change in the period of service."
The defense ministry said that those born after 1994 will still have to do a mandatory four months of military training.