Korean Job Discussion Forums

ontheway · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:32 am Post subject:

The reason they draft nearly every adult male is that it allows SK to have a large military at a lower cost. You see, these draftees are essentially unpaid. They receive a tiny monthly stipend, less than the average weekly allowance of a US teen. So, indeed, they are slaves for two years. If SK wanted to actually enlist a smaller, better trained, all volunteer military they would have to pay them, and that would be quite costly.

When peace comes and the Koreas reunite (well, if it ever comes), the draft can end, this massive waste of the lives of young men in the prime of life can end, and all that productive energy can generate a great economic boom, if, the socialist government stays out of the way.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Mariella713 · Joined: 22 May 2010

I don't see any problem with some form of mandatory national service for the citizens of a nation. It need not be military service, though that should be a option. It should also be unavoidable by anyone in the age range, male or female, poor or rich, white, yellow or brown. I think Koreans realize that there are quite a few benefits mandatory conscription brings, even though they don't like being parted from loved ones or going against their will sometimes.

ontheway · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject:

chellovek · Joined: 29 Feb 2008

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

I'm wondering how old you guys are who think conscription is a human rights issue akin to slavery? Seems like the young have been coddled a little too much. We've raised a bunch of pansies. Dread the day you're without electricity for 24 hours.

conrad2 · Joined: 05 Nov 2009

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

NovaKart · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Location: Iraq

Unfortunately, mandatory military service exists in a large number of countries. It's basically a source of cheap labor for many countries. The training is so superficial that I don't really buy the idea that it's protecting the country.

The whole toughen up the youth aspect is ridiculous as well. There are plenty of effeminate men who in fact have more willpower and discipline than a macho guy.

Conscription is also extremely sexist, though not as much in Korea since women are not as often treated equally. In Germany and Scandanavia they still have it for men only. Granted they can do an alternative service which from what I've heard is pretty flexible. However, the fact that only men are called to serve and given the position of women in those countries it's remarkably outdated and sexist.

I do recognize that some countries like Korea and Israel may have a need for it but in all too many countries, even when such an immediate threat doesn't exist, it continues to be used by the government as a way to control its population. I'm not talking about European countries in this case but places like Turkey and Singapore.