TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of National Defense on Sunday denied a report that the US is requesting Taiwan extend military conscription to two years.
A China Times report cited former legislator Kuo Cheng-liang (郭正亮) on an online talk show saying the US military urges Taiwan to boost its defense budget and increase conscription to two years.
The MND said the report was “not factual,” adding that mandatory military service remains one year. Any adjustment to the length of mandatory military service must consider national defense security, international developments, defense operational needs, and social factors, it said.
The ministry said it has been assessing training results since extending the conscription period to one year last year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday that it never received such information from the US. The ministry said it is unfortunate that “certain commentators” are spreading false information and making misleading statements that portray Taiwan-US relations in a negative light.
The China Times report comes after Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) reaffirmed last week that there are no plans to extend conscription.
The first batch of one-year conscripts completed their mandatory military service in January. The soldiers underwent four progressive training phases: enlistment, garrison training, base training, and joint exercises. This framework was designed to equip them with essential combat skills for defense operations and civil preparedness.
