Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

It is possible for Korean-Americans to be forced to serve in the Korean military. Even if you are 34-years-old. Is not 34 too old to require military service? What is the age limit? No age limit?

Korean-American Ordered to Serve in Army

A Seoul court on Friday ordered a man with dual citizenship to fulfill his two-year military service. The Seoul Administration Court ordered the U.S.-born Korean working at a foreign company in Seoul to serve his mandatory military service in the South Korean army despite his foreign citizenship.

The 34-year-old Korean-American, identified only by his surname Hong, must carry out his military duty because he has showed no intention of living abroad permanently. "Hong has been living in the country since November 1993 and only started working for the U.S. firm in 1997."
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200311/kt2003112817031011980.htm

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

maxxx_power · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: BWAHAHAHAHA! I'M FREE!!!!!!!

How is it that he could hold dual citizenship? I was under the impression that once a person reached the age of 18 (21?) they either had to renounce their US citizenship or the other country's.

Was he holding an illegal Korean citizenship or an Illegal US citizenship?

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

After reading the article, I would tend to side with the Korean courts. The only thing making this guy American was his birthplace.

The guy moved back to Korea when he was 2 years old and lived in Korea for the rest of his life except for highschool and university. That leaves the guy with about 10-12 years of his life spent abroad. He is the same as the scores of International Students who leave their homeland to get a better education only to return back home once they finish.

Since he is an American citizen, I think the Gov't should give him 2 options: Do the service OR leave Korea for good.

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

The American government would recognize the dual citizenship, but the Korean government would only recognize his Korean citizenship.

Though I don't know why he can't now simply renounced his Korean citizenship at this point and be strictly an American.

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

posco's trumpet · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: Beneath the Underdog

Arthur Fonzerelli · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Location: Suwon

If your gonna reap the benefits of Korean citizenship (allowed to buy property, vote, loans, cell phone)...you should do your duty and serve like every other korean citizen...

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 5:40 pm Post subject: Actually

candu · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

There have been a couple of guys I know - Korean-American and Korean-Canadian - who have nearly been drafted because of their status on the "hoju-je" (Korean family registry), so it isn't always a case of people screwing the system who find themselves looking at the prospect of Korean military service. The guys I know were born and raised in America or Canada, American or Canadian citizens, and not trying to do anything unusual, aside from teaching like most of us on this forum. Because their families had placed them on the family registry - in the wrong way or at the wrong time from what I understand - they got into trouble. Fortunately, they got out of it, but not without a lot of stress and just as much in the way of legal fees.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

This could have ramifications for all of those parents who have their children born abroad in an attempt to avoid military service.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like many Korean parents might not be able to get away with this any more? Or do the kids just have to stay non-korean?

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2003 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Actually

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

To be serious I think it is very important that any Korea_American should be made to do it.
The North korea situation continues to be very serious and if the governemt starts letting one group of people get away with not doing military service you know so many people will be clamouring for that loop hole. Its important the government is hard-lined as if one person gets away with why can't I mentality will come into effect.