SEOUL - Republic of Korea (ROK) on Tuesday decided to set the compulsory military service period at 21 months amid growing concerns over a weakening of defense capabilities in the wake of a series of provocations by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).  

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A plan to gradually reduce the duration of military service from 24 months to 18 months by 2014 had been initially discussed, but was scrapped due to worries that a steep cut could abate the country's defense capabilities.  

Early this month, the Presidential Commission for National Security Review called on the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae to extend the compulsory military service period to 24 months. However, Cheong Wa Dae had remained hesitant to pursue the idea for fear of a public backlash.  

The government settled for a compromise that calls for freezing the Army service at 21 months, Navy service at 23 months and Air Force service at 24 months, the Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.  

Currently, all able-bodied ROK men must serve slightly more than 21 months in the military.