Obligation to serve in the military
Since the establishment of the Korean Government in 1948, the citizens of South Korea have six obligations – the obligation to pay taxes, protect the country, become educated, work, conserve the environment and exercise property rights in ways suitable for the public welfare. The obligation to serve in the military means to serve in one of the branches of the Armed Forces or other national security apparatus for a certain period. The Korean ROK Armed Forces is based on the conscription system and has gone through many changes over the years to adapt to the fast-changing times.
From an aid recipient to a donor country
Term of service by type
Active
duty
soldiers
duty
soldiers
- Type of service
- Term of service before adjustment
- Term of service after adjustment
- Date of enlistment
-
Army /Marine Corps
-
24 months
-
18 months
-
Jun.15.2020
-
Navy
-
26 months
-
20 months
-
Apr.15.2020
-
Air Force
-
27 months
-
21 months
-
Mar.15.2020
alternative
service
personnel
service
personnel
- Type of service
- Term of service before adjustment
- Term of service after adjustment
- Date of enlistment
-
Conscripted
policemen -
24 months
-
18 months
-
Jun.15.2020
-
Conscripted
maritime police,
conscripted
firemen -
26 months
-
20 months
-
Apr.15.2020
Military
Altermative
social
workers
Altermative
social
workers
- Type of service
- Term of service before adjustment
- Term of service after adjustment
- Date of enlistment
-
Those who apply
for social services
and administrative
work -
26 months
-
21 months
-
Mar.15.2020
Full-time
reserve forces
reserve forces
- Type of service
- Term of service before adjustment
- Term of service after adjustment
- Date of enlistment
-
Full-time
reserve forces -
24 months
-
18 months
-
Jun.15.2020