Military nursing academy may be opened to men

Human rights watchdog calls current exclusion discriminatory

The National Human Rights Commission said on August 8 that it has asked the Armed Forces Nursing Academy to revise its ban on men, as well as to ease requirements for the hiring of nursing officers, calling the rules a hindrance to equal opportunity.

The rights commission’s advisory came after a 49-year-old father, identified by the surname Kim, filed a complaint with the commission early this year. The father, who hoped that his son could become a military nursing officer, was told by the academy that only women can apply.

Responding to the commission’s request, the academy said, "We will make a decision about whether to allow men to enter under an order from the defense ministry."

The academy continued by saying that it "will accept the commission’s advice to ease physical conditions required to enter the academy," but so far has not addressed other requirements called too stringent by the human rights body.