The Challenge of Korea’s Mandatory Military Service
Korea’s Mandatory Military Service
Amid a low birth rate and shrinking enlistment pool, Korea’s military has struggled to maintain an adequate fighting force. The country’s leaders have sought to address the issue by legalizing alternative service and dropping charges against conscientious objectors.
However, the controversy over exemptions is likely to continue for some time.
Mandatory
Under Korean law, most able-bodied men must perform military service for 18-21 months. This includes all naturalized citizens and citizens who are not of partial Korean ethnicity. Special exemptions are reserved for athletes who medal in international competitions tied to national prestige, and classical artists. In the past, K-pop idols could serve in a special, non-active branch of the military, but after public backlash against celebrities getting preferential treatment, this option was abolished.
Those who are not required to serve can be dispensed from their duty if they have an undiagnosed mental illness, are not mentally or physically capable of performing military service due to medical conditions like bone spurs, have dual citizenship and choose to abandon it, or have religious beliefs against war. It is rare for anyone to be dispensed on medical grounds, though. Some infamous examples of people who avoided military service include a man who punched his hand through a window to avoid conscription, and another who beat the system by claiming he had cancer.
Exemptions
The debate around mandatory military service is complex. On one hand, it serves national security aims by maintaining an adequate force, and on the other, it helps to forge a sense of national identity through its rites of passage. Changing the system would open a political can of worms that is difficult to resolve. For example, turning it into a volunteer professional service might serve nation building goals, but it could also weaken its bulwark against North Korean contingencies.
Some men are exempt from military service for a variety of reasons, including health issues and family circumstances. Some individuals have even been medically discharged, a process that can take years. This type of discharge is a complicated process that involves the military’s medical board and extensive paperwork. Many people evade conscription by fabricating medical conditions, and the government has been criticised for allowing this practice. Some have even gone as far as punching their own car window on purpose in an attempt to avoid the draft.
Requirements
Men must complete the enlistment process and pass a medical examination in order to serve. Recruits are taught military discipline, physical fitness, and basic weapon handling. Those in combat units receive additional and more rigorous training. They also undergo field training, tactical drills, and marksmanship practice.
Those who are physically or mentally unfit for military service can request postponement for one or more reasons. This includes individuals with debilitating diseases or disabilities, as well as those who are setting up start-ups or pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies abroad.
Individuals with exceptional skills can be exempted from active duty. Some of the most notable examples are violinists, ballet performers, and sports stars. Son Heung Min, a player for Tottenham Spurs, was granted an exemption in 2018 after winning a gold medal at the Asian Games. There was once a special branch of the military that celebrities could join, but it has since been dissolved due to issues with celebrities getting preferential treatment and public outrage.
Training
Many young men in South Korea feel obligated to fulfill their military service, which is seen as a rite of passage. In addition, military service is considered to be a good way to demonstrate patriotism. Those who refuse to serve will face serious consequences, including criminal charges and fines. The length of military service varies depending on the branch of the army. For example, those in the Army and Marines will serve for 21 months, while those in the Navy and Air Force will serve for 23 months.
Many famous celebrities have put their careers on hold to do their military duty, such as actor Park Seo Joon (bagseojun) and J-Hope of K-pop band BTS. The group’s other members are expected to enlist soon. Those who enlist in the military are guaranteed one round-trip flight back to their country of permanent residence per year. Incoming personnel must complete the USFK Theater Specific Mandatory Training before deployment to Korea. This training is designed to ensure that all soldiers are familiar with policies and procedures of the Korean theater.