ID :
176946
Thu, 04/21/2011 - 07:02
Auther :

Military nursing academy to pick male cadets from next year

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Thursday it will revise an ordinance to require the military nursing academy to select male cadets from next year, a move to end sexual discrimination amid rising demand for male nursing officers. Male applicants have been barred from entering the Armed Force Nursing Academy since its establishment in 1951, which critics say is discriminatory. Only a handful of male nursing officers serve as "short-service" commissioned officers. The revised ordinance is expected to take effect in June after a final approval by President Lee Myung-bak, the ministry said in a statement. There are some 830 nursing officers in the South's military, and male officers account for 5.06 percent, or 38, ministry officials said. The nursing academy annually picks 85 cadets and will accept eight male cadets next year, according to the ministry.

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