Government legislation ministry rules students on leave must serve in civil defense

The Ministry of Government Legislation ruled that students on leave of absence are not exempt from mandatory service in the Civil Defense Corps. The clarification states the legal exclusion for 'enrolled students' applies only to those actively pursuing their studies.

The decision followed an inquiry from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety regarding the Framework Act on Civil Defense. While male citizens aged 20 to 40 are generally required to join the corps, exemptions exist for students at designated institutions.

The ministry reasoned that the exemption aims to relieve those engaged in academic work from training and mobilization burdens. Since a leave of absence suspends actual study, such students do not fit the legislative intent. Provisions excluding citizens from national defense obligations must be interpreted strictly, the ministry said.

The ruling was finalized following a review by the Legislation Interpretation Deliberation Committee, which includes external experts such as law professors and lawyers. As the final administrative conclusion, this interpretation binds government agencies. The ministry recommended revising the decree to explicitly address the status of students on leave, noting the current wording lacks clarity.