Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ajarn Miguk]

I do. I think he has it 100% right. Everyone agree?

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200505/15/200505152206303009900090409041.html

[Konundrum]

It seems to be a sound proposal to me! I totally agree...can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Ajarn Miguk]

[Derrek]

Does anyone else see this potentially backfiring?

The best and brightest of Korea already try to leave to study and/or live overseas. This encourages the rich, and the brightest, to leave this country entirely and sever many more connections to it.

I don't exactly see people saying, "Thank-you for trapping me here."

It will only increase the desire of some to remove their entire family from this culture.

On a positive note, we may suddenly have a lot of Korean people complaining -- in Korean -- about how difficult it is for the world to operate a business, follow the red-tape of being a foreigner, etc., in South Korea. They'll get a first-hand view of this government's inability to cater to international business.

[fidel]

No, he's an idiot! He has 'lost face' and now he is trying to get back at those parents who snubbed him.

Such an important law change as he is proposing with such far reaching implications would usually take years to research, formulate and submit. Instead he does it in two weeks! This change will affect the millions of Koreans who live abroad and the thousands that visit Korea every year and currently receive F4 visas, not just the few thousand who are trying to escape the draft.

Luckily for us mixed parentage families whose children were born in Korea, it apparently doesn't affect us, only those born abroad.

If I were an overseas Korean I would be a tad pissed off.

[Ajarn Miguk]

[fidel]

I would vote, but your poll lacks validity. A two option poll 'couched' in those terms gives me no choice. I think I will pass on the poll voting this time round.

Having a Korean politician give a lecture on morality, and duty is beyond a joke. Are you unaware that more than 25% of lawmakers have children that dodged the draft?

His intentions may be just but enacting legistlation on such an ad hoc basis will cause more problems than it solves.

[Derrek]

[Ajarn Miguk]

[the_beaver]

Partly right. Partly wrong.

Mandatory military service is dumbass, but if the law requires it for citizens then citizens should do it or not be citizens.

[hellofaniceguy]

Let's look at the underlining reason.....korean military which is akin to the cub scouts or brownies. They could not even defend their own country from Japan and still can��t defend it alone from the north should the unlikely happen. Sure the military is getting better in korea and have done a great service for their country in recent past...but still....
It says a lot about a country when it forces one to "join" the military. The majority of koreans would rather not serve...and for obvious reasons...low low low pay, low self esteem, violence, beatings, very poor living conditions (but the government is upgrading the housing) and who would want to serve an ungrateful nation anyway?! And even if korea had a volunteer military��very few would join under the current conditions.
Koreans are just an ungrateful nation. Long on rhetoric and short on specifics.
But��I do think that if a person wants the government to give them an education for free, medical insurance for free and whatever else��then they should do their part.
Correct me if I am wrong��I thought university education was not free in korea��students/parents pay. Not the government. Same with medical insurance��.koreans pay a small portion I thought.
And the same people who are complaining about changing the law��I wonder how man skeletons they have in their closets?

[fidel]

His intentions may be just but enacting legislation on such an ad hoc basis will cause more problems than it solves.

Is it clearer now?

[crazylemongirl]

I think it sucks that they must choose their citizenship after service.... would think that would mean that a lot of people wold give the finger to kroea after that.

I would remain supportive of it if korea allowed dual nationals and gave a fair lead in time.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think what he is doing is closing a loophole that some middle class families have recently started taking advantage of. Fair enough. But I would be more impressed if he had added a Part II to his bill in which he closed the loopholes for the governing class. As someone mentioned, 25% of lawmakers' kids don't serve. I've heard a higher number. There is a Korean phrase--He's a general's son--which refers to the sons of the rich and/or powerful who manage to evade their obligation to serve. Those loopholes should be closed first.

[Derrek]

How does the song go?

"It ain't me... it ain't meeeee... I ain't no Senator's son..."