South Korea is bringing back its specialized research personnel (jeonmun yeongu-won) program, allowing engineers at large corporations to fulfill mandatory military service through research and development work, according to reporting by the Chosun Ilbo and News1. The revival, framed as an "AI military service special exemption" and centered on the Ministry of Science and ICT, marks the return of the corporate track after a 14-year hiatus. Our desk examined the claim against 12 primary sources.
The specialized research personnel system allows conscripted engineers to complete their military obligation by working in designated research roles rather than in barracks. The route had been closed to staff at large corporations for 14 years. Under the revived framework, that corporate track is being reopened specifically for AI talent, positioning military service as a lever in the national race for technical manpower.
The initiative sits with the Ministry of Science and ICT, which supplied image materials for the coverage by the Chosun Ilbo and News1. The policy reflects the intense competition for AI researchers across Korean industry, from semiconductor leaders such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to LG and the country's major internet and platform companies, all of which face pressure to secure engineering staff amid national service obligations that pull young researchers out of laboratories.
Our verification desk reviewed 12 primary sources connected to the report, including materials credited to the Ministry of Science and ICT. The review confirmed the core assertion that the specialized research personnel designation for large corporations is being revived through the AI-focused special exemption after 14 years.
The claim that corporate research personnel are returning via the "AI military service special exemption" after a 14-year absence is judged Mostly True.