Let's Learn KOREAN

Trivia #6 : Military Service

MILITARY ENLISTMENT
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Have you heard about Korean Mandatory Military Service?

Do you know why your favorite Korean Stars need to leave their career for 2 years just to serve in military?

This is a Korean law. All Korean males, regardless of their background, even if you're a celebrity, a son of a politician or just an ordinary man, there is no exception because South Korea has small population compare to North Korea.

South Korea need an active military force because of North Korean war. They want all their men always ready to fight for their country anytime.

Men between the ages of 18 to 35 are required to serve between 22 to 26 months in South Korea military service.

Korean men will be isolated in the society and sacrifice their 2 years for the nation with no contact your family and loved ones. And it is common for men to complete two (2) years of college before enrolling in the military. Once their duties are concluded, they return to their universities for the final two years before graduating.

Most Korean males always say that "If you want to become a real men, you need to serve in military."

But before you enter military services, the government will first summon you to have a physical and mental test before going to the training camp.

When you enter the camp, you will meet your instructor that will train you for five (5) weeks. In those intense five (5) weeks of training, you will experience a certian way to do different things.

Shooting guns, combating, preparation against chemical attack, physical exercises and handling grenades are just some of the training exercises.

After that intense five (5) weeks of training, you will be assigned to your battalion divided into military branches. Division will be based on your personality, attitude and physical appearance to match every individual.

In army and marine, it is required to serve for 21 months.

In air force, Koreans are required to serve for 24 months.

In navy, you have to serve for 23 months.

While in non-active, Korean men is required to serve for 24-36 months.

Not all military positions are related to combat. Many alternative duties exist such as police officers, firemen, and various other public service posts. However, there is a lot of pride in serving the military as a soldier. This is something common to many Korean men and becomes frequent conversation over drinks after work.

As one needs to respect those of higher rank, it's best for Koreans to enter military at the age of 18 in order to avoid having to speak respecfully to younger members.

Is there a chance that Korean males are not required to serve?

It is a law and it's mandatory. If you try to evade the service, you can actually go to jail.

But there are actually some theories that some where exempted because they have many tattoos, their weight is under 130 kg., or they have a physical or mental illness.

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That's all for today!
See you in my next class.