2025/03/09
Ministry of National Defense Press Release Regarding "U.S. Request for Taiwan's Mandatory Military Service to Be Extended to Two Years"
Ministry of National Defense Press Release
Release Time: 9th March 2025, 20:00
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) issued a statement today (9th March) affirming that the planning for the strengthening of Taiwan's military forces is based on a comprehensive and prudent evaluation of factors such as changes in potential threats from adversaries. Currently, the mandatory military service period is one year, and reports suggesting that the "U.S. has requested Taiwan to extend its mandatory military service to two years" are inaccurate and untrue.
The MND further clarified that any potential adjustment to the duration of mandatory military service would require a thorough consideration of multiple factors, including national defense security, international circumstances, defense operational requirements, and societal development. In 2024, the Ministry revised the mandatory service period to one year and is currently focused on enhancing training outcomes. While the Ministry acknowledges the ongoing public discussions regarding the duration of military service, there are no plans for any changes to the current service period at this time.