How would you decide between American citizenship and loyalty to your native country? This is the decision that Korean male students at the University must face. In South Korea, every healthy young man must serve in the military for at least two years. But even those who have immigrated to the United States or those who have gone to study in universities halfway across the globe must face the reality of service. Even for intelligent and outstanding University students, there is no exception.
Since the division of North and South Korea, the South Korean government has hailed the importance of having a well-organized national defense. To answer the call of duty, South Korean young men are legally required to serve in the army for two years.
Although Korean men may postpone their duty until afterward, some choose to complete their service while they are still in school.
Second-year Engineering student Sang-Ha Lee, who is currently in South Korea awaiting his assignment, went back to Korea after his third semester to meet his obligation of national defense. Lee said he was angry when he first realized he could not avoid military service.
"I was petrified," he said. "However, after all, I admitted that this is what I should do for my country. I persuaded myself to take it as a good experience."
All that was left to be decided was when to go. The Korean government gives time options, and for Lee, this year was the right time.
"I have always wanted to be a competent man in Korean society," Lee said. "For that, I do not want to miss a thing that everybody goes through, and going to army is one of that."
On the other hand, in 1998, one of the most famous Korean musicians, Seung-Joon Yoo, was forbidden to re-enter Korea because he refused to serve in the army and instead chose U.S. citizenship. As a result of this infamous case, many employers in Korea now require that job applicants report whether or not they served in the military.
"I do not think of myself as a patriot, but I at least am not throwing my country away with just two years of responsibility," Lee said. "I see myself way more above-board than him."
Still others question the need for the mandate of the Korean army system.
"Of course, I admit the fact that my country needs well-organized national defense," second-year College student JiWook Han said. "Korea still has a risk of a war in the condition of divided by north and south, but the question is why it is a must."
Aligning himself with others who think the reality of being forced to go to the army is absurd, Han complained about the "must" system's interference with at least two years of each Korean man's youth.
"It should be vocational," he said. "Every single guy spends their golden age in the army without having a chance to think about whether to go or not."
Despite ambivalence about their required service, men who are in their draft ages usually emphasize the negative aspects of what they are going to gain or lose through the experience.
"Let's say I get dragged to the army as a private and serve two years," second-year College student Geibum Cheon said. "Someone might say that would be a good experience because the life as a soldier makes me learn how to act in community, but what is next? Instead of learning trivial matters, I lose my two years that could be used critically important for my entire life. It is waste of time."
What really happens in the Korean army? Major duty for soldiers in South Korea is to learn how to minimize loss when war happens, and they are assigned to cope with enemies in the area to which they currently belong. Soldiers learn how to handle weapons and even are put into stimulating situations using real bombs. Can this be the fear factor of young Korean men causing them to give up their national identity?
"I seriously consider staying in America," second-year College student Tan Kim said. "It is not just about the army, but it is the major factor for me to make the decision -- getting an American citizenship."
Tan Kim's whole family moved to America. Being an immigrant in the country may not be the most pleasant experience, but he said he thinks it is worthwhile if it exempts him from the army.
"Nevertheless, I do not feel guilty toward my country," Tan Kim said. "I just feel sorry for my friends who do not have any choice but going. Well, I have a choice, and I will not go."
If a South Korean gives up his citizenship, he is never able to stay for more than six months nor do any salaried work there.
Asked if he would regret the choice, Tan Kim said, "I am pretty sure, even though I regret, there will be no remorse."
And what about girls sending their lovers to the army?
"I was devastated," third-year College student Sojung Park said.
After Park's boyfriend joined the Korean army, she transferred from a Korean school to the University. Now she is in a unique long-distance relationship.
"I cried for months -- I could not face the reality that my boyfriend is actually shunned from the real world," Park said.
Park had known about the army, but this was the first time that she actually felt what it is like. Park also takes a stand on the issue.
"I think it is a waste of the talented youths," she said. "Korean government can use them more effectively for the country than this. I am another victim of the irrational military system of Korea."
Second-year College student John Kim voiced similar sentiments.
"What is the point of the army without weapons?" John Kim asked. "Korean government should concentrate on arming itself for national defense rather than collecting young men."
John Kim, whose parents immigrated to the United States before he was born, is not under the authority of the Korean Department of Defense because he is a U.S. citizen.
"Once, I thought of going Navy here, [in the United States]," he said. "I would volunteer."
John Kim said he believes the Korean army would encounter fewer problems if participation was voluntary and occupational "because young and healthy men like me would volunteer for their own goods."
The issue has seriously tortured many promising youth of Korea. Will there be any solution other than leaving their country? Giving up his national identity, or facing it and resigning himself to fate? Every Korean male at the University meets the query: To go, or not to go -- that is the question.
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