LetterFromSeoul

Where draft dodgers go to jail, just like in S'pore

To evade NS, S. Korean men gain or lose weight, fake mental disorders or get full body tattoos

South Korea Correspondent
A scene from South Korean movie Taegukgi (2004) about two brothers drafted into the army at the outbreak of the Korean War. A South Korean military conscript waving to his family during an induction ceremony at an army training centre in Nonsan. Over
A South Korean military conscript waving to his family during an induction ceremony at an army training centre in Nonsan. Over 200,000 young men join the military every year to learn how to defend the country. Exemptions are granted only to exceptional talents who bring glory to the country.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
  • Updated
    Jan 10, 2021, 1:36 pm
  • Published
    Jan 10, 2021, 5:00 am SGT
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SEOUL • Serve the army or go to jail.

I'm not talking about Singapore's compulsory national service (NS), but South Korea's.

Please or to continue reading the full article.

Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month

  • Latest headlines and exclusive stories
  • In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content
  • Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months*
Subscribe now

*Terms and conditions apply.

Sign up for the ST Asian Insider newsletter to get exclusive insights into Asia from our network of overseas correspondents.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on January 10, 2021, with the headline 'Where draft dodgers go to jail, just like in S'pore'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Topics: