Conscription in South Korea has existed since 1957 and requires male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 to perform compulsory military service.[1][2] Women are not required to perform military service, but they may voluntarily join the military.[3]
South Korean soldiers in training
Establishment
The basis for military conscription in South Korea is the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which was promulgated on 17 July 1948. The constitution states in Article 39, "All citizens shall have the duty of national defense under the conditions as prescribed by Act."[4][5]
In addition, the conscription is defined and acted by the "Military Service Act" (병역법).[6][7] According to the "Military Service Act" Article 3, "Every male citizen of the Republic of Korea shall faithfully perform mandatory military service, as prescribed by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and this Act. A female may perform only active service or reserve service through volunteering" and "Except as provided in this Act, no special case concerning mandatory military service shall be prescribed". Only males being drafted was confirmed by the Constitutional Court of Korea, which declared in 2006 that it is the right of government to decide whoever is subject of the conscription, and hence there is no constitutional error of government decisions.[8] Conscription is managed by the Military Manpower Administration, which was created in 1948.[9]
Enlistment and impairment-disability evaluation
By law, when a South Korean man turns 18 years old, he is enlisted for "first citizen service," meaning he is liable for military duty, but is not yet required to serve.[10][11] When he turns 19 years old (or, in some instances, 20 years old), he is required to undergo an Impairment & Disability evaluation to determine whether he is suitable for military service. The table below shows the evaluation's possible grades and their outcomes, according to the Military Service Act.[12] Men must enlist by the time they turn 28.[13]
Grade
Description
Outcome
1, 2, 3
"Those whose physical and psychological constitution is healthy enough to perform actively in army."
"To be enlisted for active duty service, supplemental service or the second citizen service, based on their qualifications, such as educational background and age."
4
"Those whose physical and psychological constitution is not so healthy for active training but capable of doing supplemental service for civilians as replacements
(This is a common grade for people with minor disabilities)."
"To be enlisted for supplemental service or the second citizen service, based on their qualifications, such as educational background and age."
5
"Those incapable of entering active or supplemental service, but capable of entering the second citizen service
(This is a common grade for people with disabilities)."
"To be enlisted for the second citizen service."
6
"Those incapable of performing military service due to any disease or mental or physical incompetence
(This is a common grade for people with severe disabilities)."
"To be exempted from military service."
7
"Those unable to be graded...due to any disease or mental or physical incompetence."
"To undergo a follow-up physical examination" within two years.
Term of South Korea military service
Areas
Notation of military service relevant regulation
Commonly used terms
Meaning
English
Korean
English
Korean
Conscription examination
Draft Physical Examination
병역판정검사 징병검사 징병신체검사
Conscription Examination Military Service Judgment Examination Physical Examination(PE)
징병검사 병역판정검사 신체검사(신검)
Physical Grade
신체등급 신체등위
Physical Grade
신체등급
Grade I Grade II Grade III Grade IV Grade V Grade VI Grade VII
Grade A Grade B-1 Grade B-2 Grade B-3 Grade C Grade D Grade E
갑종 1을종 2을종 3을종 병종 정종 무종
Physical grades names from Before 1984
- Disposition for military service - Type of service
Preliminary Military Service First militia Service First Citizen Service
병역준비역 제1국민역
Preliminary Military Service 1st Citizen Service
병역준비역 제1국민역
Active Service
현역
Active
현역
Reserve Service
예비역
Reserve Service
예비역
Full-Time Reserve Service
상근예비역
Full-Time Reserve Service
상근예비역
Supplementary Service Supplemental Service Recruit Service
보충역
Supplementary Service
보충역
Wartime labor service Second militia Service Second Citizen Service
전시근로역 제2국민역
Exemption from Military Service in Ordinary time Exemption from Ordinary time
평시병역면제 평시면제
Exemption from Military service
병역면제
Exemption from All Military Service All exemption
병역완전면제 완전면제
Removal from Military Register
병역제적
Exemption from All Military Service by Criminal record All exemption from Criminal record
전과에 의한 병역완전면제 전과에 의한 완전면제 전과로 병역완전면제 전과로 완전면제
In the case of being sentenced to more than 6 years in prison under the ROK Military service act, it was Removal from Military service registration.[14]
Disposition for subject to active duty, service, etc.
Enlisted in Active Service
현역입영대상
Active duty Subject to Enlist Subject to Conscription Subject to Draft
현역대상 현역입영대상 징병대상
Called for Full-Time Reserve Service
상근예비역소집대상
Subject to Called for Full-Time Reserve Service
상근예비역소집대상
Disposition for subject to supplementary service callup, service, etc.
Called for Defense
방위소집대상
Called for Defense
방위소집대상
Defense Call-up(Defense soldier call-up) is classified as a supplementary service from 1969 to 1994. It was in the form of commuting from home to Military unit(or Police station, Police box, Conscription part of Town office).
—
방위병
Defense Soldier
방위병
Called for Public Interest Service
공익근무요원소집대상
Called for Public Service
공익복무요원 소집대상
Called for Social Service
사회복무요원소집대상
Called for Social Service
사회복무요원 소집대상
Public interest service Personnel
공익근무요원
Social Service Personnel
공익근무요원
Social Service Personnel
사회복무요원
Social Service Personnel
사회복무요원
Certificate of Military Registration
Certificate of Military Registration data notation[15][16]
English
Korean
Name
Hong Gil-dong
홍 길동
Kim Han-guk
김 한국
Birth date
12 Mar. 1979
790312
28 Mar. 2001
2001. 3.28
Physical grade
Grade I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7급
Draft Physical Examination Omitted
병역판정검사생략
Disposition for military service
Preliminary Military Service
병역준비역
Subject to Draft Physical Examination
병역판정검사대상
Active Service
현역
Enlisted in Active Service
현역병입영대상
Full-Time Reserve Service
상근예비역
Called for Full-Time Reserve Service
상근예비역소집대상
Supplementary Service
보충역
Called for Social Service
사회복무요원소집대상
Alternative Service
대체역
Called for alternative service
대체복무요원소집대상
Reserve Service
예비역
Subject to Follow-up Physical Examination
재신체검사대상
Wartime Labor Service
전시근로역
Exemption from Military Service
병역면제
Removal from Military Register
병적제적(6년이상수형)
Reason of disposition
An only son
독자
Wounded in action or injured in the line of duty
전·공상
(Family member) wounded in action or injured in the line of duty
(가족)전·공상
Difficulties in Earning a Livelihood
생계유지곤란
Not Completing Middle School
중학교 중퇴이하
Long-term Waiting
장기대기
Emigration
국외이주(이민)
Acquisition of the Permanent Residence Right
영주권취득
Loss of nationality
국적상실
Thirty-one years of age or older
31세이상
Thirty-six years of age or older
36세이상
Remaining in Physical Grade VII for one year or longer
7급1년이상
Remaining in Physical Grade VII for two year or longer
The age standard is from January 1 to December 31 of the year of age.
■: Age group of Mandatory Military service
■: Age group of Mandatory Military service in Wartime
Age
Mandatory military service
Duty of conscription examination and enlist, etc.
Type of service
Note
17 or younger
Military Manpower Administration takes over the Identity registration data of persons (17-year-old male) who are enrollment to Military Service Registration(Assignment the Preliminary Military Service) in the following year from the Ministry of the Interior, and transmits them to the Local Military Manpower Office.
18
Subject for Mandatory Military service of Peacetime
No, but voluntary enlistment possible.
- Assignment the Preliminary Military Service.
- Persons with disabilities registered under the Disabled registration system is Wartime Labor Service or Exemption from Military Service.Note 1
1.Age group subject to Civil Defense Corps under the Framework Act on Civil Defense from the age of 20[17] 2.Subject to a return order from the chief of staff of each military if he desertied while serving on the basis of active duty soldiers. 3.Reserve soldiers and Completed their service Supplementary soldiers in the Age group of Exemption from Duty of conscription examination and enlist, etc.(38 to 40 years old, 38 to 45 years old in Wartime) can be assigned to the Reserve Force according to the Reserve Forces Act on a wartime basis.[18]
19 to 35
All Military service obligators are obligated to Conscription examination and Enlist/Call-up(Passed person from Conscription examination. Active duty is Enlist, Supplementary Service is Call-up)
1.According to the results of the Conscription examination.(Military Disposition. Active duty, Supplementary service, Wartime labor service or Exempted from Military service) 2.When the Mandatory service(Active service) period is completed, they are transferred to reserve service.
36 to 37
1.In the peacetime, General Military service obligators are no Conscription examination and Enlist/Call-up
2.In the peacetime, Military Service Act Violators, Oversea stayer, etc. are obligated to Conscription examination. When disposed of as a Supplementary service, there is an Obligation to convene Public service.
3.In the wartime, All Military service obligators are obligated to enlist as conscription examination and active duty.
1.Same as above. 2.Military Service Act Violators, Overseas stayer, etc. are Subject to Supplementary service, Wartime Labor Service or Exempted from Military service according to the results of the Conscription examination.
38 to 40
In any case, No duty of Conscription Examination and Enlist.
Same as above.
41 to 45
1.End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime(Soldier ranks) 2.Extension of Mandatory Military service from Wartime
Exemption from Service for Active Soldiers, Reserve Soldiers, Supplementary Soldiers, Wartime Labor Service in PeacetimeNote 2
Reserve soldiers and Completed their service Supplementary soldiers can be assigned to the Reserve Force according to the Reserve Forces Act on a Wartime basis.
46 or older
End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime and Wartime. Exemption from Service for Active, Reserve, Supplementary Soldiers, Wartime Labor Service in Peacetime and WartimeNote 2
Expanded 50 years of age for the Wartime Civil Defense Corps
Note 1: Some disabled person (mild disabled person). If the disability status of a disabled person changes at the age of 19, or if a reason for the return of the disabled registration card occurs, a Conscription Examination shall be performed.
Note 3: Retirement of Officers, Warrant officers, and Noncommissioned officers when they reach retirement age of rank from Military Personnel Management Act.[19]
History of military service age
1971 to 1984
Age
Mandatory military service
Duty of conscription examination and enlist, etc.
Type of service
17 or younger
—
None.
—
18 to 19
Subject for Mandatory Military service of Peacetime
Assignment the 1st Citizen Service.
20 to 30
All Military service obligators are obligated to Conscription examination and Enlist/Call-up (Passed person from Conscription examination. Active duty is Enlist, Supplementary Service is Call-up)
1.According to the results of the Conscription examination. (Military Disposition. Active duty, Supplementary service, Wartime labor service or Exempted from Military service) 2.Those who are not Active (Serving), Reserve, or Supplementary Service are the 1st Citizen service. 3.When the Mandatory service (Active service) period is completed, they are transferred to Reserve service.
31 to 35
1.In peacetime, All Military Service Obligators (Including those Military Service Act Violators, Oversea stayer, etc.) are no Conscription examination, Enlist, Supplementary Service Call-up (Exemption from Call)Note 1 2.In the wartime, All Military service obligators are obligated to enlist as conscription examination and active duty.
1.Same as above. 2.The 1st Citizen service that has not been Conscription examination and those Subject to Active Enlist (Subject to draft) who have not been notified of Active draft are transferred to Supplementary service.
36 to 40
In any case, No duty of Conscription Examantion and Enlist.
41 to 45
1.End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime (Soldier ranks) 2.Extension of Mandatory Military service from Wartime
Exemption from Service for Active Soldiers, Reserve Soldiers, Supplementary Soldiers, Wartime Labor Service in PeacetimeNote 2
46 or older
End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime and Wartime. Exemption from Service for Active, Reserve, Supplementary Soldiers, 2nd Citizen Service in Peacetime and WartimeNote 2
Note 1: According to Article 7 of the Military Service Act Addenda in 1971, Military Service Act Violators(Conscription examination or Enlist refusers/dodgers) as of the enforcement year(1971) are obligated to Conscription examination and enlist.[20] Note 2: Retirement of Officers, Warrant officers, and Noncommissioned officers when they reach retirement age of rank.
1984 to 1993
Age
Mandatory military service
Duty of conscription examination and enlist, etc.
Type of service
17 or younger
a 17-year-old person (17-year-old male) must report the incorporation of the 1st Citizen service to the Town mayor or Village Chief.
No, But Possible the Voluntary enlist.
18
Subject for Mandatory Military service of Peacetime
not enlisted from 1st Citizen Service
19 to 30
All Military service obligators are obligated to Conscription examination and Enlist/Call-up (Passed person from Conscription examination. Active duty is Enlist, Supplementary Service is Call-up)
1.According to the results of the Conscription examination. (Military Disposition. Active duty, Supplementary service, Wartime labor service or Exempted from Military service) 2.Those who are not Active (Serving), Reserve, or Supplementary Service are the 1st Citizen service. 3.When the Mandatory service (Active service) period is completed, they are transferred to Reserve service.
31 to 35
1.In the peacetime, All Military Service Obligators (Including those Military Service Act Violators, Oversea stayer, etc.) are no Conscription examination, Enlist, Supplementary Service Call-up (Exemption from Call) 2.In the wartime, All Military service obligators are obligated to enlist as conscription examination and active duty.
1.Same as above. 2.The 1st Citizen service that has not been Conscription examination and those Subject to Active Enlist (Subject to draft) who have not been notified of Active draft are transferred to Supplementary service.
36 to 40
In any case, No duty of Conscription Examantion and Enlist.
41 to 45
1.End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime (Soldier ranks) 2.Extension of Mandatory Military service from Wartime
Exemption from Service for Active Soldiers, Reserve Soldiers, Supplementary Soldiers, Wartime Labor Service in PeacetimeNote
46 or older
End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime and Wartime. Exemption from Service for Active, Reserve, Supplementary Soldiers, 2nd Citizen Service in Peacetime and WartimeNote
Note: Retirement of Officers, Warrant officers, and Noncommissioned officers when they reach retirement age of rank.
1994 to 2010
Age
Mandatory military service
Duty of conscription examination and enlist, etc.
Type of service
17 or younger
a 17-year-old person (17-year-old male) must report the incorporation of the 1st Citizen service to the Town mayor or Village Chief. (Before February 5, 1999) Military Manpower Administration takes over the Identity registration data of persons (17-year-old male) who are enrollment to Military Service Registration (Assignment the Preliminary Military Service) in the following year from the Ministry of the Interior, and transmits them to the Local Military Manpower Office. (After February 5, 1999)
18
Subject for Mandatory Military service of Peacetime
No, but voluntary enlistment is possible.
Assignment the 1st Citizen Service. Persons with disabilities registered under the Disabled registration system is Wartime Labor Service or Exemption from Military Service.
19 to 30
All Military service obligators are obligated to Conscription examination and Enlist/Call-up (Passed person from Conscription examination. Active duty is Enlist, Supplementary Service is Call-up)
1.According to the results of the Conscription examination. (Military Disposition. Active duty, Supplementary service, Wartime labor service or Exempted from Military service) 2.When the Mandatory service (Active service) period is completed, they are transferred to reserve service.
31 to 35
1.In the peacetime, General Military service obligators are no Conscription examination and Enlist/Call-up
2.In the peacetime, Military Service Act Violators, Oversea stayer, etc. are obligated to Conscription examination. When disposed of as a Supplementary service, there is an Obligation to convene Public service.
3.In the wartime, All Military service obligators are obligated to enlist as conscription examination and active duty.
1.Same as above. 2.Military Service Act Violators, Overseas stayer, etc. are Subject to Supplementary service, Wartime Labor Service or Exempted from Military service according to the results of the Conscription examination.
38 to 40
In any case, No duty of Conscription Examination and Enlist.
Same as above.
41 to 45
1.End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime (Soldier ranks) 2.Extension of Mandatory Military service from Wartime
Exemption from Service for Active Soldiers, Reserve Soldiers, Supplementary Soldiers, Wartime Labor Service in PeacetimeNote
46 or older
End of Mandatory Military service from Peacetime and Wartime. Exemption from Service for Active, Reserve, Supplementary Soldiers, Wartime Labor Service in Peacetime and WartimeNote
Note: Retirement of Officers, Warrant officers, and Noncommissioned officers when they reach retirement age of rank.
Determination criteria of physical grades
There are seven physical grades. Grade name is I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII. Before 1984 grades name is A, B (respectively B-I, B-II, B-III), C, D and E
Before 1984
After 1984
Name
Korean
Name
Korean
Grade A
갑종
Grade I
1급
Grade B-I
제1을종
Grade II
2급
Grade B-II
제2을종
Grade III
3급
Grade B-III
제3을종
Grade IV
4급
Grade C
병종
Grade V
5급
Grade D
정종
Grade VI
6급
Grade E
무종
Grade VII
7급
I, II, III and IV is Accepted, and grades V, VI and VII is Rejected.
The criteria for determining the physical grade shall be in accordance with Attached form 2 and 3 of the "Rules for examination of Conscription Physical Examination, etc.(병역판정 신체검사 등 검사규칙 [ko])"
Attached form 2 sets the criteria for determining height and weight. Attached form 3 is the evaluation criteria for diseases and mental and physical disabilities, which vary from year to year.
In the following criteria, diseases and mental and physical disabilities are described mainly as representative or known.
Note 1: Surgery due to pneumothorax is Grade V in 1992.
Disposition for military service by educational background and physical grade
According to Article 14 of the Military Service Act, grades I to IV are based on qualifications (education, age, etc.) and are subject to active service, supplementary, wartime workers, Grade V exemptions, Grade VI exemptions, and Grade VII medical examinations. The criteria for disposing of active duty or supplementary officers in grades I to IV are determined by the Military Manpower Administration's announcement (annual announcement of conscription inspection). According to the announcement, the criteria for military service are as follows.
■: Active duty (현역, Subject to Enlist for Active duty. Subject to Draft)
Disposition for military service by educational background and physical grade (after 2021)
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
Regardless
Active duty
Supplementary service
Wartime Labor Service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
History of disposition for military service
1950s to 1969
Before the 1970s, the criteria for disposition of active duty and supplementary military service cannot be confirmed due to lack of data at the time.[24]
in 1950 to 1955
1950: It was the first year in the Republic of Korea that the Conscription was implemented. At that year, due to the limitation of 100,000 troops by the Korean military, the conscription system and Conscription Examination were suspended. However, in June of the same year, when the Korean War broke out, there was an unofficial conscription.
1952: As the Conscription system was Implemented again, Conscription Examination began again.
Accepted (Active duty, 1st Supplementary military service, 2nd Supplementary military service)
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
1957
The supplementary military service was abolished by the enforcement of the revised Military Service Act from August 1957.[25]
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
C
D
E
Regardless
Accepted (Active duty, 1st Supplementary military service, 2nd Supplementary military service)
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
1958 to 1960
On February 24, 1958, there were Re-examination measures after canceling the judgment on 45,000 Grade C judges in the 1950 to 1957 Conscription examination.
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
B-III
C
D
E
Regardless
Accepted (Active duty)
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
1961
There was a physical examination of public officials who were judged to be Grade C.
In 1961, there was a physical examination of 128,422 embroidered persons who reported between June 21 and June 30, which was set as the period for reporting embroidery of those who failed to serve in the military.
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
C
D
E
Regardless
Accepted (Active duty)
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
1962
Those born on or after January 1, 1930, who have been punished for active service under the Military Service Act enacted before October 1, 1962, and who have not joined the army, will be transferred to the 1st supplementary role and will be supplemented. (Except for those who joined the National Land Construction Team(국토건설단 [ko]) in 1961.)
Among those who were examined for conscription in 1962, those who were judged to be Grade B4 and B5 were transferred to Grade C and converted to 2nd Citizen service.
Elementary school Graduated or more, Middle school Dropout or less
Grade A: Active duty
Grade B-I, B-II, B-III: Supplementary service
Elementary school Dropout or less: 2nd Citizen service
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
B-III
C
D
E
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout
Active duty
Supplementary service
Elementary school Graduated
Elementary school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1974 to 1976
College attending or more
Grade A, B-I, B-II: Active duty
Grade B-III: Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated or more, High school Dropout or less
Grade A, B-I: Active duty
Grade B-II, B-III: Supplementary service
Elementary school Graduated or more, Middle school Dropout or less
Grade A: Active duty
Grade B-I, B-II, B-III: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
B-III
C
D
E
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
High school Graduated
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout
Active duty
Supplementary service
Elementary school Graduated
Elementary school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1977 to 1979
College attending or more
Grade A, B-I, B-II, B-III: Active duty
High school Graduated or less
Grade A, B-I: Active duty
Grade B-II, B-III: Supplementary service
Middle school Dropout or less: 2nd Citizen service
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
B-III
C
D
E
College attending or more
Active duty
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1980 to 1983
College attending or more
Grade A, B-I, B-II: Active duty
Grade B-III: Supplementary service
High school Graduated or less
Grade A: Active duty
Grade B-I, II, III: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
A
B-I
B-II
B-III
C
D
E
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1984
In 1984, Change of Physical Grade Name.
Before 1984
After 1984
Name
Korean
Name
Korean
A
갑종
I
1급
B-I
제1을종
II
2급
B-II
제2을종
III
3급
B-III
제3을종
IV
4급
C
병종
V
5급
D
정종
VI
6급
E
무종
VII
7급
College attending or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
High school Graduated
Grade I, II: Active duty
Grade III, IV: Supplementary service
High school Dropout or less
Grade I: Active duty
Grade II, III, IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
High school Dropout
Active duty
Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1985
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1986
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1987
High school Graduated or more
Grade I, II: Active duty
Grade III, IV: Supplementary service
High school Dropout or less
Grade I: Active duty
Grade II, III, IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Active duty
Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1988 to 1991
1988: Skipped Conscription Examination of Elementary school Graduated or less
1989: Those aged 25 or older among those graduating from High school will be converted to Supplementary service.
June 1, 1991: High school graduates who are 162 centimeters or less, high school graduates and those who are above university students, and who are Grade II (and III, IV) due to myopia of ophthalmology, will be converted to Supplementary service. (A person who was Conscription examined from 1990)
November 15, 1991: Those who graduated from high school and a Physical grade II will be converted to Supplementary service. (A person who was Conscription examined from 1991)
January 1, 1992: Middle school Dropout or less is Supplementary service. (Exemption from Call of Bangwi)
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1992
Middle school Graduated or more, Physical grade I, II, III, IV: Active duty. But, on October 30 of the same year, it was changed as follows:
High school Graduated or more, Physical grade III, IV: converted to Supplementary service
High school Dropout or less, Physical grade I, II, III, IV: converted to Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1993
High school Graduated or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
High school Dropout and Middle school Graduated with Grade I, II, III, IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1994
High school Graduated or more with Grade I, II, III, IV: Active duty
High school Dropout
Grade I: Active duty
Grade II, III, IV: Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated with Grade I, II, III, IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Active duty
Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Supplementary service
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1995 to 1996
High school Graduated or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Those who graduated from middle school and a Physical grade I, II, III, IV will be converted to Supplementary service from 1996
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1997
High school Dropout or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Grade I, II, III, IV: Supplementary service
High school Dropout with Physical grade III: converted to Supplementary service from June 2, 1997
High school Dropout with Physical grade II: converted to Supplementary service from January 1, 1998
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Supplementary service
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
1998 to 2003
High school Graduated or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated, High school Dropout
Grade I, II, III, IV: Supplementary service
1999 to 2011
Skipped Conscription Examination with Transferred the 2nd Citizen service of Middle school Dropout or less in 1999 to 2011
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Supplementary service
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
2004
Middle school Graduated or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
2005
College attending or more with Grade I, II, III, IV: Active duty
Middle school Graduated and High school Dropout
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
Active duty
Supplementary service
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
2006 to 2011
Middle school Graduated or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Educational background
Physical grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
College attending or more
Active duty
Supplementary service
2nd Citizen service
Exempted from Military service
Subject to Physical reexamination
High school Graduated
High school Dropout
Middle school Graduated
Middle school Dropout or less
2nd Citizen service
2012 to 1st half of 2015
Middle school Graduated or more
Grade I, II, III: Active duty
Grade IV: Supplementary service
Middle school Dropout or less with Physical Grade I, II, III, IV: Supplementary service
Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4: those are suitable for military service (현역)
The length of compulsory military service in South Korea varies based on military branch.[26] Active duty soldiers serve 1 year 6 months in the Army or Marine Corps, 1 year 8 months in the Navy, or 1 year 9 months in the Air Force.[27] After conscripts finish their military service, they are automatically placed on the reserve roster and are obligated to attend 3 days of annual military training for 6 years[citation needed] (5 years from 2021).
Non-active duty personnel, or "supplemental service" personnel serve for various lengths: 1 year 9 months for social work personnel (better known as public service workers - personnel ordered to do public service work at places that require auxiliary workers such as local community centers like city halls, government agencies, and public facilities like subway stations);[28] 2 years 10 months for arts and sports personnel or industrial technical personnel; and 3 years for public health doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, or expert researchers.[29]
In 2010, there was growing public pressure to either shorten the length of conscription or to switch to voluntary military service, and calls from experts for a gradual phasing out of conscription rather than complete abolition.[30] However, in December 2010, after taking into consideration of the 2010 ROKS Cheonan sinking and Bombardment of Yeonpyeong incidents, the South Korean government said it would not reduce service periods.[31]
Grade 4: those are unsuitable for military service
Art and sports personnel
Artists and players who have won government accredited competitions are allowed to work as 'Art and Sports Personnel'. After a month of military training, Art and Sports Service agents work through their specialties to finish their military services; e.g. in professional sports teams, art galleries, museums or orchestra bands. Unlike other service agents who are working at factories, farms, universities, institutes or nursing homes, Art and Sports Service agents are allowed to work abroad.[citation needed]
Former president Park Chung-hee introduced exemptions for athletes in 1973 to win more medals for the country; some historians believe this also served as a distraction against the government's unpopularity.[32] After winning a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics, wrestler Yang Jung-mo was granted the first exemption. In the 1980s, president Chun Doo-hwan promised exemptions to any athlete who won a medal of any kind at either the 1986 Asian Games or the 1988 Summer Olympics.[32]
Current conscription regulations stipulate that athletes who win medals in the Olympic Games or gold medals in the Asian Games are granted exemptions from military service and are placed in Grade 4.[33] They are required to do four weeks of basic military training and engage in sports field for 42 months. After that, they are automatically placed on the reserve roster, and are obligated to attend a few days of annual military training for six years. In practice, after athletes finish their four weeks of basic military training, they are able to continue their own sports career during the 34 months of duty.[34]
The policy has resulted in coaches being accused of selecting players desperate to avoid military service instead of choosing the best athletes. Parents encourage their children to pursue sports in hopes of them receiving an exemption.[32]
A total of 220 exemptions were granted from 2008 to 2018.[32]
Exemptions are also granted to classical musicians and ballet performers who win first place in stipulated international-level competitions. A two-year extension for notable K-pop artists (from a law that was passed in December 2020) could also be given by government for their career, the age for joining military is 30 (which previously was 28). Some resources and media outlets claim that the primary reason for this amendment was singer-songwriter Jin, who, at the time, was about to turn 28.[43][44] As his group BTS has had a huge impact (especially in the music industry) worldwide and contributed greatly to the spread of Korean culture and the Hallyu Wave, exemptions for them were in talks for a few years.[45][46] Despite this, BTS' record label, Big Hit Music, announced on October 17, 2022, that Jin withdrew his enlistment deferral request and will be the first in the group to enter into mandatory military service, with other members of BTS to be enlisted on a later date.[47]
Conscientious objection
The right to conscientious objection was not recognized in South Korea until recently. Over 400 men were typically imprisoned at any given time for refusing military service for political or religious reasons in the years before right to conscientious objection was established.[48]
On 28 June 2018, the South Korean Constitutional Court ruled the Military Service Act unconstitutional and ordered the government to accommodate civilian forms of military service for conscientious objectors.[49] Later that year on 1 November 2018, the South Korean Supreme Court legalized conscientious objection as a basis for rejecting compulsory military service.[50]
The Ministry of National Defense has revealed that it failed to provide sneakers to 7,411 recruits who joined the military from 22 May to 4 June 2012, after the budget was insufficient for need. The Defense ministry originally projected the cost of each pair of sneakers to be 11,000 KRW. However, the actual cost turned out to be 15,000 KRW.[52]
For dual citizens, or those with multiple citizenships, male South Koreans must choose their citizenship by the time they turn 18, before 31 March of that year. If these males choose to revoke their South Korean citizenship, they will not be required to complete their mandatory military service. However, if they fail to choose their citizenship by their 18th year, they will be subjected to fulfill their mandatory military service[54] and, for those who wish to maintain their multiple citizenships, an oath not to exert foreign nationality within two years since finishing their military service.[55] If males choose to renounce their citizenship by their 18th year, they are ineligible to gain a South Korean work visa (F series) until after they turn 40 years of age. It may still be possible to gain an E series visa.
There have been cases of Koreans abroad (e.g. Korean Americans) being forced to serve in the military, as they were unaware they were actually citizens of South Korea. This happens when these people visit South Korea. One cause of this is the inadvertent inclusion on the family register.[56]
Racial minorities
In 2011, the government dropped race-based requirements for mix-raced Korean nationals conscripted into the armed forces.[57] However, there currently is no law allowing non-ethnic Korean citizens conscription into the armed forces. All naturalized citizens and citizens not of partial Korean ethnicity have a choice of whether to enlist or not.
Controversies
Violation of Forced Labour Convention
The Forced Labour Convention explicitly excludes "any work or service exacted in virtue of compulsory military service laws for work of a purely military character" from its scope.[58] However, ILO defines conscription of non-military purpose as forced labour.[59]
According to ILO, South Korean conscription violates the forced labour convention, because South Korea enrolls men with disabilities for non-military purposes. A majority (+90%) of the "Reserve - class 4 -" group work as "social service agents (사회복무요원)", and earn far less than the minimum legal wage at various fields, including government offices, subway stations, tax offices, post offices, and sanitaria.[58]
In April 2021, South Korea ratified the Forced Labour Convention, but conscription remained in place. South Korea changed its conscription law by providing "right to decide to be enrolled" to "reserve - class 4 -. those with minor disabilities". South Korea claims that this change makes the conscription legitimate because "reserve - class 4" now have the right to decide their methods of conscription between soldiers with active duty and "social service agents".[58] However, ILO continues to argue that enforcing "reserve - class 4-" to work as a "social service agent" is a violation of the Forced Labour Convention.[58]
In recent years, the South Korean government has been preparing a policy to lower conscription standards for mental and physical conditions that were previously considered exempt, in light of concerns that the country's low birthrate will lead to fewer conscripts; South Korea had the lowest fertility rate in the world in both 2020 and 2021.[60] Experts have stated that such actions will lead to wider problems already present in the military, by recruiting personnel who would not be able to adapt to the closed military.[61]
Draft evasion
In general, the South Korean public tends to be intolerant towards men who attempt to evade mandatory military service or receive special treatment, especially if they are exploiting family wealth or political connections. Draft evasion is a punishable crime, but many entertainers, athletes, politicians and their children are known to have fabricated medical or other reasons to seek exemption from military service.[62][63] According to a 2017 report by the Military Manpower Administration, the most common evasion tactic was extreme weight loss or gain (37%), followed by fabrication of mental illness (23.7%), and deliberate full-body tattoos (20.3%).[64] Studying abroad or migrating overseas to obtain foreign citizenship are considered the preferred option for sons in wealthy families, while nearly a hundred high-ranking politicians including sitting members of the National Assembly have managed to arrange unexplained exemptions for their sons.[65] These cases of draft evasion are to be distinguished from conscientious objection on political or religious grounds.
Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo)
In 2002, just before South Korean pop singer Yoo Seung-jun was due to be drafted for his military service, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was born in Seoul and migrated to the United States at the age of 13. He had already obtained U.S. permanent residency and, in order to evade military service, went to Los Angeles, where he acquired citizenship within two months, subsequently renouncing his Korean nationality. The South Korean government considered it an act of desertion and deported him, banning him from entering the country permanently.[66] In February 2017, Yoo lost his second and final appeal regarding his entry ban which prohibited him from entry and any further appeals.[67] However, citing procedural irregularities, the South Korean Supreme Court re-opened the case in July 2019 and sent the case to the Seoul High Court, ordering them to retry Yoo's case.[68] In November 2019, the appeals court reversed the ban, paving the way for Yoo to return to the country, pending approval of a visa.[69] One of Yoo's visa requests was denied in July 2020 by the Los Angeles Consulate, citing Korean law that allows discretion in denying visas to applicants that "posed a threat to public interest."[70]
^ROK Military Service
Article 3-(4)No person liable for military service but sentenced to imprisonment with or without labor for at least six years is allowed to perform military service, and his name shall be expunged from the military register.
^"별표·서식". Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
^"별표·서식". Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
^Article 18 Paragraph 1 of Republic of Korea Framework Act On Civil Defense: A civil defense unit shall be composed of Korean male citizens from January 1 of the year in which they turn 20 years old until December 31 of the year in which they turn 40 years old:
^"제68조의11(예술ㆍ체육요원의 추천 등) [Article 68-11: Recommendation of arts and sports personnel, etc.]". 병역법 시행령 [Military Service Act Implementation Rules]. South Korea: Ministry of Government Legislation. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2018. 법 제33조의7제1항 전단에서 "대통령령으로 정하는 예술·체육 분야의 특기를 가진 사람"이란 다음 각 호의 어느 하나에 해당하는 사람을 말한다. ... 4. 올림픽대회에서 3위 이상으로 입상한 사람(단체경기종목의 경우에는 실제로 출전한 선수만 해당한다) 5. 아시아경기대회에서 1위로 입상한 사람(단체경기종목의 경우에는 실제로 출전한 선수만 해당한다). [In Article 33, Paragraph 7, Subparagraph 2 of the Act, 'a person having special talents in arts and athletics fields, as defined by presidential order' refers to persons to whom are applicable any one of the provisions of the following subparagraphs. ... 4. A person who received a prize for ranked third or above at the Olympics (in the case of team events, only applicable to athletes who actually participated). 5. A person who received a prize for ranking first at the Asian Games (in the case of team events, only applicable to athletes who actually participated).]
^Kim, Sooyoung (17 October 2022). "방탄소년단 맏형 진, 군대 간다…입영 연기 철회" [Jin, the eldest of BTS, to enter military following withdrawal of enlistment postponement]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 17 October 2022.
^Lee, Jun-sam (29 September 2019). 인구절벽에 현역자원 급감…軍, 판정기준 낮춰 현역 늘린다 [Active resources plummet due to population cliff... Military lowers judging standards to increase active duty] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
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