Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Drew345]

A Korean friend told me that his son is exempt from Korean Army duty because he is a "son of a son". I thought about it a second and realized that every man is a son of a son. I mean, we all have a father who has a father. So I thought maybe he meant oldest son of oldest son, or only son of only son. But my friend has two older brothers, so both of those are out. This is bugging me a bit, anyone know about the Korean Army exemption for "son of a son"?

[Pink Freud]

I'm pretty sure it's only son of an only son or something like that.

Preserving the family lineage. They do civil duty instead, I believe.

[djsmnc]

So this means Jesus would have to serve, but not his his son if he had one?

[zappadelta]

It's like the Fortunate Son thing. Those who are really rich don't have to serve in the army, they get some other duty.

[The Cosmic Hum]

^...yes...I've heard the translation is more like...a son of god.
Money and power protecting the son from serving.

[jvalmer]

I've heard it goes 2 or 3 (not sure which) generations of only having one son. So if you're the only son of a line of one son families, you still have to serve, but you get a very easy assignment, like pushing papers at the local administration office.

As for the rich, it depends. If you're a rich Korean who has any political aspirations you'd better make sure your sons serves. A former presidential candidate had 3 sons that were all exempt from service for pretty dubious reasons. One of the contributing factors for him losing the election.

[Ya-ta Boy]

It could be that your friend was trying to use the expression 'a general's son' which refers to rich kids/sons of gov't officials who have a knack for finding ways around their military obligation.

[Drew345]

Yeah, thanks for the information. I'll have to ask my friend about it again. He and his son sure aren't rich; teaching music to grade school kids. I tried explaining that every man is a "son of a son" but I couldn't make that point (without pen and paper anyway). Not important, just something to talk about. Maybe I'll try discussing it in Korean for even more fun!

[nautilus]

Koreans are only having 1 or 2 kids these days. There must be loads of males who are the "only son".

[jvalmer]

[greasypeanut]

[nautilus]

[Mariner]

[Bloopity Bloop]

Why do celebs serve if money gets you off the hook?

[CapnSamwise]

it only works if you're the son of a son, son of a son, son of a son of a sailor