Koreans forced to choose citizenship

mike · #1 05-09-2006, 06:37 PM

Here is a question being asked: when a South Korean joins the U.S. military, which country must he serve? The Stripes answered it.

Quote:

Recently, two U.S. soldiers, who had not renounced their South Korean citizenship, found themselves facing mandatory military service in their native country, according to military officials from both nations.

In one case, a U.S. soldier was assigned to a unit in South Korea only to face an enlistment demand from South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration. In another, a South Korean in the U.S. Army visited his homeland on vacation; he was reassigned to Yongsan for several months as U.S. and South Korean officials tried to reach a conclusion about where he should serve.

This is the catch.

Quote:

If that citizenship isn’t renounced, males will be under obligation to South Korea’s military when they turn 20, he said, adding that if such a young man returns to South Korea without the proper permission, he could be caught at immigration and drafted into South Korean service.

And there’s a catch: No man may renounce South Korean citizenship without first serving two years in the military, Kim said.

bull · #2 05-10-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

Here is a question being asked: when a South Korean joins the U.S. military, which country must he serve? The Stripes answered it.

This is the catch.

In South Korea, every able-bodied man is required to serve at least 24 months in the military. But some few Korean men between ages 20 and 35 manage to avoid serving by virtue of having dual citizenship. Exceptions exist for South Korean males living abroad. Such people can renounce their South Korean citizenship before the age of 18, while those 18 and older may seek a delay or exemption and retain their citizenship.

chucksnee · #3 05-10-2006, 10:50 AM

We had a few Soldiers born in Korea and were running around like a chicken with their head cut off trying to get the paper work from their parents where ever it was.

They were dead serious if you had not renounced your citizenship from Korea you were going to do your 2 years.

This actually happened back in OCT. (for the Army) The Korean Government had a by name list.

eddiev9 · #4 05-10-2006, 12:29 PM

Last I heard the service period is 26 months in the military and you have to choose your citizenship by the age of 16. Also, to "escape" service you have to reach the age of 38.

bull · #5 05-10-2006, 02:19 PM

I am told that ROKMC and ROKA soldiers serve 24 months now.

ROKN sailors serve 26 months

ROKAF airmen serve 27 months.

ROKMC, ROKAF and ROKN are filled by volunteers. ROKA is the draft-default service....thats where you go if you don't take any action to do otherwise.

Combat Police serve 24 months.

Solidiers who get fast tracked to SSG after attending a NCO academy or in some cases a special service-related high school serve 3 years.

Service times used to be longer and getting a dispensation from service easier. Now they have reduced service time but made getting out of the draft more difficult.

Taichan · #6 05-10-2006, 03:01 PM

I knew someone who was born over seas in france, thier dad was part of the US military, mom was french, on there 18th/19th birthday they where called to join the french military after they had already joined the US military, they told them to screw off

Forums	Arcade	Gallery	Links	Register	FAQ	Members List	Calendar
Classifieds	Articles	Quizzes	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode