TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih expressed hopes on Monday (July 3) to resume Taiwan's four-month military service if elected president in 2024.
Speaking to TVBS Situation Room host Chao Shao-kang, Hou opposed previously announced proposals of "3+1" university-military programs.
The programs aimed to incorporate Taiwan's mandatory military service into university years so that it would not interfere with male students' job search after graduation. However, Hou believes the situation would lead to an unfair distribution of educational resources.
"Additionally, it compresses students' learning time, making it unworkable," the presidential hopeful added. He emphasized that the length of military service depends on the overall peace and stability surrounding Taiwan.
Hou claimed that the current administration's strained relationship with China means a year-long military service is necessary to maintain Taiwan's combat readiness.
However, the mayor vowed that should he be elected president; he would do all he could to regain peace and stability in the region, thus resuming Taiwan's four-month military service.
