Unlike the United States, South Korea requires all male citizens to serve in the military for 22 months any time between the ages of 18 and 33. If a citizen passes the age limit and has not completed his service, he is unable to return to South Korea and even faces arrest or even expulsion.
This is the reality for young people who have South Korean citizenship. Even for those with a dual South Korean and American citizenship, the South Korean government refrains from acknowledging Korean-American citizenships.
Senior Roy Lee, who moved to America from South Korea in September 2013, is a citizen of South Korea. For Lee, switching to a dual citizenship is out of the question, since he is set on his decision to serve in the Korean military. It is now his decision of when to go serve in South Korea that seems to be the most pressing choice.
“I want to live in Korea in the future; I don’t want to become a foreigner to Korea,” Lee said. “Since I was born in Korea, and it’s where I grew up, I just feel more comfortable with Korean culture. All of my family will be in Korea as well.”
Senior Alex Kwon also faces a similar situation in which he must return to Korea in the future and complete his military service. Kwon, who moved to America in 2004, hopes to return to his home country to be with the rest of his family.
Kwon plans to leave for service in Korea after freshman year of college here in America, and then to permanently remain in Korea afterwards.
By contrast, Lee plans to return to America after his service to finish his education in America, since he believes many American colleges are more prestigious.
One worry Lee has about joining the Korean mandatory military system is its “terrible” reputation. Known for being unjustly biased toward rich Korean citizens, the military’s hierarchy system is one of the strictest in the world.
“Honestly, I don't expect much from the army,” Lee said. “It's just a part of my civil duty as a Korean citizen. I do not want to go there, and I know that I will be treated terribly
Korean soldiers get paid about $15 a month and have to “work like crazy,” Lee said. Soldiers are given small meals and are forced to wake up at dawn and endure intense training for hours. Lack of proper equipment and violence have been chronic problems in the Korean army. Lee said he will be forced to obey his superiors, or else they could “easily beat him up.”
Despite the harsh conditions of the military system in Korea and the fear of sudden North Korean attacks, Lee said that he feels obligated to join the military to protect the country, especially because of the ongoing bomb and nuclear attack threats from North Korea.
“I think it’s definitely necessary for us to keep up with our national defense,” Lee said. “I feel a bit nervous and scared about joining the military from the issues regarding North Korea, but I know it’s something I have to do.”