Facts About South Korea’s Mandatory Military Service
The Stars & Stripes has a good Q&A on South Korea’s mandatory military service:
Q: Who has to serve in South Korea’s military?
A: All able-bodied South Korean men are required to enlist in the military by age 28. K-pop stars aren’t exempt from service, but they have been granted the ability to defer their enrollment until age 30 for contributions to “enhancing Korea’s international image.” At 30 years old, Jin, whose full name is Kim Seok-jin, is the oldest member of BTS and was running out of time to defer, as officials mulled whether to exempt K-pop stars from service. Just weeks before a December enlistment deadline, Jin rescinded his deferral, setting forth his path to military service.
Men with physical limitations or health concerns are allowed to perform alternative service, such as holding administrative roles in the community. Men with religious concerns — most notably Jehovah’s Witnesses — were previously jailed for refusing compulsory military service. In recent years, however, conscientious objectors have been allowed to take community service roles.
Artists and classical musicians who have won awards for their work are allowed to perform alternative service — which requires teaching and performing — as long as the award is officially recognized by the Defense Ministry. (BTS has not won such an award.) Professional athletes who won international honors are also allowed to do alternative service corresponding with their expertise. Korean adoptees who choose to reinstate their nationality — many of whom don’t speak their native language — are granted an exemption from compulsory service.
Q: How long does South Korea’s military service last?
A: Those who are required to serve in the military must do so for at least 18 months, although the length of service can vary by branch. Conscripts serve for 18 months in the army and the marines, 20 months in the navy, and 21 months in the air force. The first few weeks of service are usually spent at a basic training camp before soldiers are moved to the roles in which they will finish the rest of their enlistment.
Stars & Stripes
You can read more at the link.
Sharing in the blessings of liberty in South Korea should make most young men (18–30 years old) grateful enough to “donate” 1.5 years of their life to preserving it for them to enjoy the remaining 50+ years. In fact, if the average life expectancy of a Korean man is 75, the service amounts to 2 percent of their life. They spend more than that waiting in line at Starbucks.
Imagine being a US military member assigned to Korea on 2 year (24 month orders); literally putting more time in defending Korea than its own citizens.
Imagine being a US military member assigned to Korea on 2 year (24 month orders); literally putting more time in defending Korea than its own citizens.
Flyingsword.
The USFK are welcome to leave Korean anytime.
The only people who are holding the USFK in Korea are the US politicians and some US right wingers such as setnaffa and his Setnaffarians and GI Korea.
Korea so called person, USFK is here at the request of the ROK Government via the mutual defense agreement. ROK Government can end that at anytime you all want to go in alone….read become a vasal state to China AGAIN. Hope you like laying tribute a the Western Gate of Seoul.
Flyingsword
That is rich considering that it is the US which is denying Korea, a nuclear deterrent and other weapons that could be used to keep China at bay.
Why do you think Park Chung-hee started the Korean defense industry and thought about starting the Korean nuclear weapons program.
At the end of the day, we cannot trust the US completely with our defense, so it is up to us Koreans to do what we can to defend our homeland.
Korea idiot….then do it and stop complaining.
Flying Idiot
You and your Setnaffarian compatriots are the ones who are complaining and whining like little girls.
Not us Koreans.
Chinabot, please stop sharing your kiddie pr0n fantasies about crying children.
This isn’t that type of website.
And besides, no one here dates incels.
Finally, you will need to speak to President Yoon if you want USFK out of South Korea. He decides, not (mostly) wayguk people who love South Korea at a blog you dislike.
Wait! Sounds like Winnie is calling you back to hear more “Xi Jinping thoughts”. Better pay attention so you don’t lose your position!
Ah setnaffa, it seems I got your attention.
Tell us.
Why would Chinese be interested in calling for Korea to have its own nuclear deterrent and a strong defense posture that is not dependent on the United States?
If you were smart enough you would have realized that Chinese would want the opposite.
Yes the opposite.
If the USFK were to stay in Korea forever then Korea will be dependent on the US for its defense and not be inclined to spend money and make efforts to create a strong self-defense posture.
And when the USFK were to one day decide to pack up and leave then Korea with its weaker defense will be exposed to any military provocation from China.
Since you desire for the USFK to stay in Korea forever, I can only surmise that you wish Korean to be weak and dependent on the US.
Why is that?
Ah yes you are a supporter of Russia, which is an ally of China. Of course the above scenario benefits both Russia and China.
Get back with us when you can show you served in the RoK Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force, chinabot.
Actually setnaffa.
I did serve in the ROKN for 28 months from ‘94 to ‘97.
Of course knowing you, you would probably ask for documentary proof. Then how about you?
Why don’t you show us documentary proof that you were a USAF B-52 tail gunner and not a supposed creation of the Russians?