South Korean soldiers salute at a memorial ceremony at Taesungdong, near the truce village of Panmunjom in the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, July 26, 2006.

South Korea's military last week unveiled a new policies aimed at making it easier for military couples to have and raise children.

The country has the lowest fertility rate among developed nations with an average of 1.08 children per woman. The birth rate among military couples is 0.83, officials said.

"The low birth rate can seriously affect our economy, politics and even national security," said Lieutenant Hong Kyung-moon, an army personnel officer.

The army will try to keep newlyweds together by allowing them to stay in the same posting for five years so that they can start and raise a family, Hong said by telephone.

If a military family has a third child, the soldier can select a geographic area in the country to their liking for their posting. These policies and others went into effect on Aug 1.

"We improved the system and believe it will bring an increase in the birth rate," Hong said.

newlyweds: 新婚夫婦

posting: 部隊

to sb.'s liking: 按照某人的愿望；合乎某人的意思