The Czech government decided to provide a bonus of over 60 million won to new recruits entering the military.
According to CTK news agency on the 2nd (local time), the Czech Parliament passed an amendment to the professional soldier law to increase the one-time bonus paid after three months of military training from 250,000 koruna (approximately 15.9 million won) to a maximum of 1 million koruna (approximately 63.4 million won).
Accordingly, other incentives such as housing and commuting allowances will also be expanded. Upon graduating from university and signing a long-term service contract for over seven years, individuals will receive an additional maximum of 450,000 koruna (approximately 28.5 million won).
As of early last year, the Czech military had active personnel of 27,826 and a reserve force of 4,266. The military aims to increase its active personnel to 30,000 and reserves to 10,000 by 2030.
During the Cold War, the Czech Republic was part of the Warsaw Pact military alliance led by the Soviet Union. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1999 and abolished conscription in 2004. Due to disarmament trends across Europe, the military, which had approached 100,000 personnel immediately after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, has been reduced to a third of that level.
The Czech Republic has actively supported Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, by jointly purchasing and sending artillery shells funded by donations from Western countries. However, like other European countries, it is struggling to secure military personnel as young individuals of conscription age are reluctant to enlist.
According to a survey by local media Czech Radio, only 6% of respondents answered 'I will definitely enlist' when asked if they would enlist if their country or NATO allies were attacked and the collective defense clause was triggered. The response 'I will consider it' accounted for only 14%, while the remaining 80% said 'I will not enlist.'