Vacation to the Philippines, Japan... How Can the Military Prevent New Types of Desertion?

"Linking the Ministry of National Defense and Immigration System Is Needed"
Active-Duty Soldiers Not Subject to Exit Inspection

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It has recently been confirmed that new types of desertion cases, where soldiers leave the country during vacation and do not return, are rapidly increasing.

According to data submitted by Assemblyman Kang Dae-sik of the People Power Party from the military on the 21st, there have been a total of 10 overseas desertion cases in the past decade, with half of them-5 cases-occurring in the first half of this year alone. Among these, a soldier who departed for the United States in April has not been apprehended even after four months.

In June, there was also a case where a soldier went on vacation, left for the Philippines, and did not return. The soldier's parents traveled to the Philippines to persuade him, and after returning together to Korea, the soldier was handed over to a military court and is currently on trial.

Additionally, it was confirmed that in December of last year, a soldier who was granted special leave for shoulder surgery and was receiving treatment at a domestic hospital left for Japan and remained in hiding for about 100 days. This soldier was arrested locally for illegal stay and was forcibly deported.

However, there are criticisms that unauthorized departures continue because there are no mechanisms in place to prevent active-duty soldiers from leaving the country in advance. While social service personnel cannot pass through immigration without prior approval, active-duty soldiers are not subject to exit inspection and can leave the country without restrictions.

Assemblyman Kang emphasized, "The Ministry of National Defense must establish fundamental measures to prevent unauthorized departures by linking with the immigration management system."