Until now, mobile phones have been deemed a security issue and have been forbidden to members of South Korea's armed forces, meaning a reliance on the dwindling number of public payphones in the country. Using the one-way phones will only be allowed during free time in the evening and before a 22:00 curfew. But perhaps to avoid service personnel waiting in vain for their phones to ring, they'll also be able to send certain preset text messages, such as: "Please call me today." The ministry says the scheme will "help ease anxiety" for both soldiers and their families.