Military Manpower Administration, 8,053 Enlistment Applicants Over 20 Years
The number of cases in which Korean nationals holding foreign permanent residency have applied for military enlistment to fulfill their military service obligations has exceeded 8,000 over the past 20 years.
According to the Military Manpower Administration on the 11th, since the permanent resident enlistment hope system was first implemented in 2004, a total of 8,053 people had applied by the end of last year. The number of applicants, which was only 38 in the first year, recorded 704 in 2020, 711 in 2021, 678 in 2022, and 523 in 2023. Hundreds of young people voluntarily enlist every year, giving up their studies or livelihoods abroad to protect their country. If a person obtains foreign permanent residency and stays abroad, they are classified as second-class citizens for military service upon turning 38 and are exempt from military duty, but until then, the military obligation remains.
In the past, permanent residents staying abroad who wished to enlist had to enter the country and visit a local Military Manpower Administration office, but for over ten years now, they can apply for enlistment online. The Military Manpower Administration website provides instructions in English on how to complete documents for permanent residents who are not familiar with Korean.
The Army Training Center operates a military adaptation program for permanent residents before basic training to assist with language, use of military facilities, and understanding military life. Upon discharge, a 'Certificate of Honor for Voluntary Military Service' is awarded in the name of the head of the Military Manpower Administration. Since last year, online military service briefings have also been held for Korean residents living in the United States and Japan. This year, briefings are planned for Korean residents in Europe and East Asia.
The Military Manpower Administration stated, "The steady increase in permanent resident enlistment hopes is due to the global spread of our culture such as K-pop and the rise in national competitiveness, which has increased pride in the homeland within the Korean diaspora communities. We are proud of and sincerely grateful to the young Koreans who proudly fulfill their military service with pride as citizens of the Republic of Korea and love for their country."
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