Here is an article that explains a challenge that all male Korean college students have to deal with, when to do your mandatory service:
A batch of new military recruits salute their family members on Jan. 16 in Incheon before entering training camp. [YONHAP]Mr. Oh, a 24-year-old college student, wanted to serve his mandatory military service sometime between January and March of 2013. Aware that he would have to return to school upon his completion of duty, he wanted to hit the books straight away, making no time for staying idle.
In Korea’s current draft system, Oh needed to be wise about which month he starts and ends his service. In the best-case scenario, he could return to school right after getting discharged from the military. In the worst-case scenario, he would have to wait for an entire semester.
In the end, it didn’t work out for Oh. The competition was high. Way too many men had the same thoughts as him and the lucky-draw didn’t play out to his advantage.
Oh eventually began in June 2013, one of the least-expected – and most unpopular – month of the entire year.
He was discharged in March 2015, after the spring semester began. [Joong Ang Ilbo]
You can read more at the link, but this is just another example of why I have a lot of respect for the Koreans that complete their mandatory military service.
Is this a big deal or just an inconvenience in Korea? I ask this sincerely as in America a gap in the education process is almost never an issue but in places like Japan it can cause serious employability problems where kids are expected to start and graduate at a certain age.
@Haga Akane, the mandatory service requirement is a big deal in South Korea and many Koreans do find it annoying to have to break up their college years to fulfill their mandatory service obligation. However, Koreans understand any gap in education because of the mandatory service thus there is no employment impacts that I have heard of.
Serving in peacetime is a nit; but you make friendships that last a lifetime. And you make friends with other veterans simply by reason of having served.
One needs to be an adult at some point in one’s life. Age 18 is a great place to start learning what that means. Earlier is better; but not everyone has parents willing to help.
Yeah, I know military service is a thing in ROK. Wasn’t sure about the education issue; makes sense if this is a common issue employers would be flexible though.
Is this a big deal or just an inconvenience in Korea? I ask this sincerely as in America a gap in the education process is almost never an issue but in places like Japan it can cause serious employability problems where kids are expected to start and graduate at a certain age.
@Haga Akane, the mandatory service requirement is a big deal in South Korea and many Koreans do find it annoying to have to break up their college years to fulfill their mandatory service obligation. However, Koreans understand any gap in education because of the mandatory service thus there is no employment impacts that I have heard of.
Sorry, I cannot feel their pain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa1G3FAaMM8
Serving in peacetime is a nit; but you make friendships that last a lifetime. And you make friends with other veterans simply by reason of having served.
One needs to be an adult at some point in one’s life. Age 18 is a great place to start learning what that means. Earlier is better; but not everyone has parents willing to help.
Yeah, I know military service is a thing in ROK. Wasn’t sure about the education issue; makes sense if this is a common issue employers would be flexible though.