Conscription in South Korea

Conscription, also known as mandatory military service or compulsory national service, is legislated in South Korea, with military service stated in Chapter II Article 39 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea for all citizens. The current Conscription Law, enacted in 1965, however, applies only to males, aged between 18 and 35, although women are allowed to enroll in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps as of 2010.

It is administered by the Military Manpower Administration. There are two tiers of service: active duty or non-active duty service. Length of service varies according to branches: 21 months for Army and Marine Corps, 23 months for Navy, 24 months for Air Force. The non-active duty service, e.g. civil service or public service worker, is from 24 months to 36 months. After conscripts finish their military service, they are automatically placed on the reserve roster, and are obligated to attend a few days of annual military training for 6 years.

South Korea currently has among the longest military service periods in the world, ranked behind Israel, Singapore, and North Korea. In recent years, there has been pressure from the public demanding either a shortening of the term or a switch to voluntary military service, and from experts calling for a gradual phasing out rather than complete abolition. However, in December 2010, after taking into consideration of the 2010 ROKS Cheonan sinking and Bombardment of Yeonpyeong incidents, the government confirmed that there will be no reduction of service periods.

When a Korean man becomes of legal age, he is required to take a physical check-up to determine whether he is suitable for military service.

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