Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Despite implementation of the National Law on Standardizing International Age, the age standard for fulfilling military service obligations remains the unchanged

- The new law will not affect the age standard for military service
Even after the National Law on Standardizing International Age takes effect on June 28, the age standard for fulfilling military service obligations will stay the same as before

The Defense Ministry and the Military Manpower Administration have stated that, even with the proposed amendments to the General Act on Public Administration and the Civil Act to unify age standards in administrative and judicial sectors with international age, the age standard defined in the Military Service Act will remain unchanged, thus excluding the application of international age.

The Military Service Act stipulates that ‘from the age of ○○’ refers to the period beginning on January 1 of the year in which the individual reaches that age, and ‘until the age of ○○’ refers to the period ending on December 31 of the year in which the person reaches that age.

The age standard in the current Military Service Act was established considering that individuals with military service obligations need to plan their departure and return to school around their military service. It also takes into account the prevention of one’s date of birth from affecting the draft physical examination or postponement of enlistment date, thereby maintaining fairness. Therefore, the calculation for the age standard for the military service is determined by subtracting the year of birth from the current year.

Accordingly, individuals born in 2004 will undergo the draft physical examination this year, regardless of their specific date of birth. Similarly, people born in 1999 who are currently residing abroad and wish to continue their stay will need to obtain an overseas travel permit from the commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration by January 15 next year, again regardless of their specific date of birth.

Currently, the postponement of enlistment for students with military service obligations is allowed until December 31 of the age limit specified for each school type to ensure academic success.

* For instance, military service can be postponed until the age of 22 for two-year colleges and until the age of 24 for four-year colleges.

As the use of international age becomes more established, the Defense Ministry and the Military Manpower Administration will strengthen their communication with the public to minimize any confusion regarding the exceptions under the Military Service Act.