Military duty alternative revives for large conglomerates after 14 years amid AI drive

Q: Which large conglomerates were recommended to host expert research personnel in the AI field?

The Ministry of Science and ICT recommended LG Electronics, HD Hyundai Robotics, Samsung Medison and Samsung Electronics. Their nine research institutes were said to need 81 personnel.

Q: Why was the expert research personnel program for large conglomerates suspended for 14 years?

New assignments to large conglomerates were suspended in 2013 so research and development personnel could be secured for small and medium-sized enterprises. The move also closed off the military duty path at large conglomerate research institutes and drew criticism for narrowing the science and engineering career pipeline.

Q: What are the main conditions for large conglomerates to qualify for the AI military duty alternative?

The criteria require an R&D investment ratio of at least 5 percent of sales, operation in a field that does not compete directly with small and medium-sized enterprises, and objective proof of R&D performance. The Military Manpower Administration also said the AI-related allocation for large conglomerates will run from 2027 to 2029.

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Summary

Military duty alternative for research personnel at large conglomerates is set to resume in the AI field after 14 years, with LG Electronics, HD Hyundai Robotics, Samsung Medison and Samsung Electronics recommended for designation. The program lets science and engineering graduates with master’s or doctoral degrees work at research sites for three years instead of serving 18 to 21 months in the military. The AI allocation for large conglomerates is scheduled to run from 2027 to 2029. The final selection and allocation procedures are still pending.

Key Facts

The Ministry of Science and ICT recommended four large conglomerates for hosting expert research personnel: LG Electronics, HD Hyundai Robotics, Samsung Medison and Samsung Electronics.
The ministry said the four companies have nine research institutes that need 81 personnel.
The Military Manpower Administration said 120 of the 240 master’s-level AI slots next year will be reserved for research institutes at large conglomerates.
Selection criteria for AI-related large conglomerates include an R&D investment ratio of at least 5 percent of sales, no direct competition with small and medium-sized enterprises, and objective proof of R&D performance.

By Park Ung

Published Sep 20, 2026 2:06 pm KST

Soldiers wait their turn at a booth during an employment and startup fair for discharged veterans in Seocho District, Seoul, Sept. 2. Yonhap

The assignment of expert research personnel to large conglomerates is expected to resume for the first time in 14 years, this time in the artificial intelligence (AI) field, helping prevent research career interruptions and the outflow of workers abroad.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Science and ICT to Rep. Hwang Jung-a of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Sunday, the ministry recommended LG Electronics, HD Hyundai Robotics, Samsung Medison and Samsung Electronics to be designated for hosting expert research personnel, with their nine research institutes needing 81 personnel.

The expert research personnel program lets science and engineering graduates with master's or doctoral degrees work at research sites for three years instead of serving 18 to 21 months in the regular military, depending on the branch.

However, new assignments to large conglomerates were suspended in 2013 to secure research and development personnel for small and medium-sized enterprises, closing off the path to military service at large conglomerate research institutes and drawing criticism for narrowing the career pipeline in science and engineering.

In response, the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) announced in June that 120 of the 240 master's-level slots allocated for the AI field next year would be set aside for research institutes at large conglomerates.

Although the revival comes after 14 years, its limited operating period and strict selection requirements remain key limitations.

According to data from the MMA, the selection criteria for AI-related large conglomerates require an R&D investment ratio of at least 5 percent of sales, operation in a field that does not compete directly with small and medium-sized enterprises, and objective proof of R&D performance.

Few domestic large conglomerates can clear that bar, with the ministry's recommendation list totaling 81 researchers, or 67.5 percent of the 120 annual slots for large conglomerates. Some large conglomerates that applied were reportedly dropped at the recommendation stage for failing to meet the requirements.

The AI-related allocation for large conglomerates is set to run from 2027 to 2029. It remains uncertain whether all the ministry's personnel recommendations will be reflected, as the MMA's final selection and allocation procedures are still pending.

"With the expert research personnel program for large conglomerates restored after 14 years, young researchers again have a path to serve their military duty at institutions with some of the country's best research infrastructure," Hwang said. "But to secure talent and strategic technology, the government should open up military service exemptions more boldly so rigid requirements don't limit the program's effectiveness."

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