Taiwan's opposition is attacking the government over soldiers who pay to quit early, a bad sign for an army already short of people facing a growing threat from China.

• Taiwan's defense budget expects to collect around NT$420 million next year from officers, cadets, and volunteer soldiers who leave before their term ends.
• The KMT says troops would rather pay a penalty than stay, and accuses the government of withholding pay raises while carefully counting the fines.
• The KMT also questions whether the ministry has ever seriously studied why people quit, calling recruitment drives a band-aid.
• The defense ministry counters that the expected penalty money is lower than this year, meaning fewer people are leaving.
• The ministry credits better pay, upgraded barracks, better food, loan programs, and counseling for the improvement.

Outlook: Expect the manpower fight to keep running through Taiwan's budget review, with recruitment and retention numbers the scoreboard both sides will cite.